In the USA, the vast majority of mothers deliver in hospitals, with less than 2% giving birth in birth centers or at home. However, few systematic attempts have been made to understand how the latter trend impacts maternal health. A new research paper published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology uses available data to conclude that hospital births provide better perinatal outcomes in all cases, with increased benefits in high-risk pregnancies.
From puberty, throughout the child-bearing years, and past menopause, Certified Nurse-Midwives serve as a continuous presence and a constant source of care and consultation for the entire female life span.