Am J Perinatol 2011; 28(7): 529-536
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1272971
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Birth Outcomes of Planned Home Births in Missouri: A Population-Based Study

Jen Jen Chang1 , George A. Macones2
  • 1Department of Community Health in Epidemiology, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, Missouri
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2011 (online)

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the birth outcomes of planned home births. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Missouri vital records from 1989 to 2005 to compare the risk of newborn seizure and intrapartum fetal death in planned home births attended by physicians/certified nurse midwives (CNMs) or non-CNMs with hospitals/birthing center births. The study sample included singleton pregnancies between 36 and 44 weeks of gestation without major congenital anomalies or breech presentation (n = 859,873). The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of newborn seizures in planned home births attended by non-CNMs was 5.11 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.52, 10.37) compared with deliveries by physicians/CNMs in hospitals/birthing centers. For intrapartum fetal death, aORs were 11.24 (95% CI: 1.43, 88.29), and 20.33 (95% CI: 4.98, 83.07) in planned home births attended by non-CNMs and by physicians/CNMs, respectively, compared with births in hospitals/birthing centers. Planned home births are associated with increased likelihood of adverse birth outcomes.

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Jen Jen ChangPh.D. 

Department of Community Health in Epidemiology, Saint Louis University School of Public Health

3545 Lafayette Avenue, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63104

Email: changdalton@gmail.com