Neonatal morbidity and mortality in birth centers in the United States 2018-2021: An observational study of low-risk birthing individuals.

Background: Many studies reporting neonatal outcomes in birth centers include births with risk factors not acceptable for birth center care using the evidence-based CABC criteria. Accurate comparisons of outcomes by birth setting for low-risk patients are needed.

Methods: Data from the public Natality Detailed File from 2018 to 2021 were used.

Race, ethnicity, and indications for primary cesarean birth: Associations within a national birth center registry.

Background: Racial and ethnic disparities in cesarean rates in the United States are well documented. This study investigated whether cesarean inequities persist in midwife-led birth center care, including for individuals with the lowest medical risk.

Methods: National registry records of 174,230 childbearing people enrolled in care in 115 midwifery-led birth center practices between 2007 and 2022 were analyzed for primary cesarean rates and indications by race and ethnicity.

Strong Start Innovation: Equitable Outcomes Across Public and Privately Insured Clients Receiving Birth Center Care.

Introduction: The Birth Center model of care is a health care delivery innovation in its fourth decade of demonstration across the United States. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the model's potential for decreasing poverty-related health disparities among childbearing families.

Methods: Between 2013 and 2017, 26,259 childbearing people received care within the 45 Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Strong Start birth center sites.

Freestanding Birth Centers: An Evidence-Based Option for Birth.

Every childbearing person has the right to learn about all options for perinatal care provider and birth setting. To ensure an informed decision about their preferred birth plan, information should be provided either preconceptionally or in early pregnancy. Personal preferences and risk status should be considered in decision-making.

Rural resilience: The role of birth centers in the United States.

Purpose: To explore the role of the birth center model of care in rural health and maternity care delivery in the United States.

Methods: All childbearing families enrolled in care at an American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry user sites between 2012 and 2020 are included in this descriptive analysis.

Findings: Between 2012 and 2020, 88 574 childbearing families enrolled in care with 82 American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry user sites.

Strong Start in birth centers: Socio-demographic characteristics, care processes, and outcomes for mothers and newborns.

Background: A recent Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation report evaluated the four-year Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns Initiative, which sought to improve maternal and newborn outcomes through exploration of three enhanced, evidence-based care models. This paper reports the socio-demographic characteristics, care processes, and outcomes for mothers and newborns engaged in care with American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) sites.

Methods: The authors examined data for 6424 Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiaries in birth center care who gave birth between 2013 and 2017.

Neonatal Outcomes in the Birth Center Setting: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: This systematic review investigates the effect of the birth center setting on neonatal mortality in economically developed countries to aid women and clinicians in decision making.

Methods: We searched the Google Scholar, CINAHL, and PubMed databases using key terms birth/birthing center or out of hospital with perinatal/neonatal outcomes. Ancestry searches identified additional studies, and an alert was set for new publications.

Outcomes of childbearing Medicaid beneficiaries engaged in care at Strong Start birth center sites between 2012 and 2014.

Background: Variations in care for pregnant women have been reported to affect pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: This study examined data for all 3136 Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled at American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Strong Start sites who gave birth between 2012 and 2014. Using the AABC Perinatal Data Registry, descriptive statistics were used to evaluate socio-behavioral and medical risks, and core perinatal quality outcomes.

Maternal Outcomes in Birth Centers: An Integrative Review of the Literature.

Introduction: The birth center, a relatively recent innovation in maternity care, is an increasingly popular location of birth. The purpose of this integrative literature review is to assess the research on maternal outcomes from birth center care.

Methods: Using methods by Whittemore and Knafl, we conducted an integrative review of studies of birth centers published in English since 1980.

The American Association of Birth Centers: history, membership, and current initiatives.

The American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) is a multidisciplinary membership organization dedicated to the birth center model of care. This article reviews the history, membership, and current policy initiatives of the AABC. The history of AABC includes the promotion of research, education, and national and state policies that are supportive of birth center care.