Maternal and newborn morbidity by birth facility among selected United States 2006 low-risk births.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We sought to evaluate perinatal morbidity by delivery location (hospital, freestanding birth center, and home).

STUDY DESIGN:

Selected 2006 US birth certificate data were accessed online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Low-risk maternal and newborn outcomes were tabulated and compared by birth facility.

RESULTS:

A total of 745,690 deliveries were included, of which 733,143 (97.0%) occurred in hospital, 4661 (0.6%) at birth centers, and 7427 (0.9%) at home. Compared with hospital deliveries, home and birthing center deliveries were associated with more frequent prolonged and precipitous labors. Home births experienced more frequent 5-minute Apgar scores <7. In contrast, home and birthing center deliveries were associated with less frequent chorioamnionitis, fetal intolerance of labor, meconium staining, assisted ventilation, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and birthweight <2500 g.

CONCLUSION:

Home births are associated with a number of less frequent adverse perinatal outcomes at the expense of more frequent abnormal labors and low 5-minute Apgar scores.

• Authors: Joseph R Wax, Michael G Pinette, Angelina Cartin, Jacquelyn Blackstone
• Journal: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (Am J Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 202 Issue 2 Pg. 152.e1-5 (Feb 2010) ISSN: 1097-6868 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20004882 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Home Childbirth (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Infant Mortality
• Infant, Newborn
• Midwifery
• Morbidity
• Pregnancy
• Retrospective Studies
• Time Factors
• United States