Seq No. Metadata item Obligation Max occurs - Birth event—actual setting of birth, code N DSS specific information:
Used to analyse the risk factors and outcomes by place of birth. While most births occur within hospitals, an increasing number of births now occur in other settings. It is important to monitor the births occurring outside hospitals and to ascertain whether or not the actual place of birth was planned.
If a jurisdiction is unable to record this data element for each baby in a multiple birth then the place of birth of the first-born baby should be recorded.
Mandatory 1 - Birth event—anaesthesia administered indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N Conditional obligation:
This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—birth method, code N data element is Code 2 (Vaginal—forceps), Code 4 (Caesarean section) or Code 5 (Vaginal—vacuum extraction).
Conditional 1 - Birth event—analgesia administered indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N Conditional obligation:
This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—labour onset type, code N data element is Code 1 (Spontaneous) or Code 2 (Induced).
Conditional 1 - Birth event—birth method, code N DSS specific information:
In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 1 - Birth event—birth presentation, code N DSS specific information:
In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 1 - Birth event—labour induction method, code N[N] Conditional obligation:
The data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—labour onset type, code N data element is Code 2 (Induced).
Conditional 6 - Birth event—labour onset type, code N DSS specific information:
How labour commenced is closely associated with method of birth and maternal and neonatal morbidity. Induction rates vary for maternal risk factors and obstetric complications and are important indicators of obstetric intervention.
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Birth event—state/territory of birth, code N DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Birth event—type of anaesthesia administered, code N[N] Conditional obligation:
This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—birth method, code N data element is Code 2 (Vaginal—forceps), Code 4 (Caesarean section) or Code 5 (Vaginal—vacuum extraction) and Birth event—anaesthesia administered indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes).
DSS specific information:
This data element does not include the removal of the placenta.
This is a multiple response data element and is therefore operationalised for data collection across 7 individual data items (one data item per permissible value, excluding Code 99 (Not stated/inadequately described)).
Conditional 7 - Birth event—type of analgesia administered, code N[N] Conditional obligation:
This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—labour onset type, code N data element is Code 1 (Spontaneous) or Code 2 (Induced) and the Birth event—analgesia administered indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes).
DSS specific information:
This data element is to be recorded for first and second stage labour, but not for third stage labour, e.g. removal of placenta.
This is a multiple response data element and is therefore operationalised for data collection across 6 individual data items (one data item per permissible value, excluding Code 99 (Not stated/inadequately described)).
Conditional 6 - Episode of admitted patient care—separation date, DDMMYYYY Conditional obligation:
This data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Birth event—actual setting of birth, code N data element is Code 1 (Hospital, excluding birth centre), Code 2 (Birth centre, attached to hospital) or Code 3 (Birth centre, free standing).
DSS specific information:
For the provision of state and territory hospital data to Australian Government agencies this field must:
be ≤ last day of financial year be ≥ first day of financial year be ≥ admission date This data element is recorded once for the mother and once for the baby. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Conditional 2 - Establishment—organisation identifier (Australian), NNX[X]NNNNN DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
The following code has been agreed by the National Perinatal Data Development Committee (NPDDC) as a supplementary code for use in the Perinatal NMDS:
Value Meaning 999999997 Not applicable 999999999 Not stated
Mandatory 1 - Female—caesarean section at most recent previous birth indicator, yes/no/not applicable/not stated/inadequately described code N DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Female—diabetes mellitus during pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N DSS specific information:
It is acceptable for jurisdictions to report only Code 1, Yes and Code 9, Not stated/inadequately described against this item.
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Female—hypertensive disorder during pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N DSS specific information:
It is acceptable for jurisdictions to report only Code 1, Yes and Code 9, Not stated/inadequately described against this item.
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Female—number of antenatal care visits, total N[N] DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Female—number of tobacco cigarettes smoked per day after 20 weeks of pregnancy, total N[NN] Conditional obligation:
The data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Female—tobacco smoking after 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes).
DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Conditional 1 - Female—parity, total pregnancies N[N] DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Female—postpartum perineal status, code N[N] DSS specific information:
This is a multiple response data element and is therefore operationalised for data collection across 7 individual data items (one data item per permissible value, excluding Code 99 (Not stated/inadequately described)).
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 2 - Female—tobacco smoking after 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Female—tobacco smoking in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Person—area of usual residence, statistical area level 2 (SA2) code (ASGS Edition 3) N(9) DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
The following code has been agreed by the National Perinatal Data Development Committee (NPDDC) as a supplementary code for use in the Perinatal NMDS:
Value Meaning 999999999 Not stated/inadequately described
Mandatory 1 - Person—country of birth, code (SACC 2016) NNNN DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Person—date of birth, DDMMYYYY DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded once for the mother and once for the baby. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 2 - Person—Indigenous status, code N DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded once for the mother and once for the baby. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 2 - Person—person identifier, XXXXXX[X(14)] DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded once for the mother and once for the baby. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 2 - Person—sex, code X DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the baby only. In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 1 - Pregnancy—birth plurality, code N DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
Mandatory 1 - Pregnancy—estimated duration of pregnancy at the first antenatal care visit, total completed weeks N[N] DSS specific information:
This data element is recorded for the mother only.
The following code has been agreed by the National Perinatal Data Development Committee (NPDDC) as a supplementary code for use in the Perinatal NMDS:
Value Meaning 99 Not stated/inadequately described
Mandatory 1 - Product of birth—active resuscitation indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N Mandatory 1 - Product of birth—active resuscitation method, code N[N] Conditional obligation:
The data element is only to be recorded if the response to the Product of birth—active resuscitation indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N data element is Code 1 (Yes).
Conditional 7 - Product of birth—Apgar score at 5 minutes, code NN DSS specific information:
In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 1 - Product of birth—birth order, code N DSS specific information:
Birth order is only assigned to births that are in scope for the Perinatal NMDS (i.e. births of at least 20 weeks gestation or 400 grams birthweight). In the case of multiple pregnancies, if one or more fetuses were removed from the mother's uterus before 20 weeks gestation, for example, by abortion (spontaneous, induced or fetal reduction), they are not considered in the assignment of birth order for any remaining fetuses that are born. For example, in a twin pregnancy, where one fetus is aborted before 20 weeks gestation, no birth order would be recorded for that twin. If the remaining twin is born and is in scope for the Perinatal NMDS, then their birth order would be recorded as Code 1 (Singleton or first of a multiple birth). If both twins are born and are in scope for the Perinatal NMDS, the first twin would be assigned a birth order of Code 1 (Singleton or first of a multiple birth) and the second twin would be assigned a birth order of Code 2 (Second of a multiple birth).
In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 1 - Product of birth—birth status, code N DSS specific information:
Essential to analyse outcome of pregnancy.
In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 1 - Product of birth—birthweight, total grams N[NNN] DSS specific information:
Weight is an important indicator of pregnancy outcome, is a major risk factor for neonatal morbidity and mortality and is required to analyse perinatal services for high-risk infants.
In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
Mandatory 1 - Product of conception—gestational age, total completed weeks N[N] DSS specific information:
The first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) is required to estimate gestational age, which is a key marker in pregnancy and an important risk factor for neonatal outcomes. Although the date of the LMP may not be known, or may sometimes be erroneous, estimation of gestational age based on clinical assessment may also be inaccurate. Gestational age is usually estimated based on available information on LMP and clinical assessment.
In the case of multiple births, this data element should be recorded for each baby born.
The following code has been agreed by the National Perinatal Data Development Committee (NPDDC) as a supplementary code for use in the Perinatal NMDS:
Value Meaning 99 Not stated/inadequately described
Mandatory 1 
