Table 2.
Effect of Birth Center Use on Maternal and Infant Outcomes (All Women, Propensity Score Analysis)
| FHBC (%) (N = 872) | Usual Care (%) (N = 42,987) | Difference (Percentage Points) | Odds Ratio¶ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logistic regression | ||||
| Cesarean section | 19.7 | 29.4 | −9.7 | 0.59** |
| Use of vacuum or forceps | 2.1 | 4.4 | −2.3 | 0.45** |
| Electronic fetal monitoring | 78.1 | 82.2 | −4.3 | 0.77** |
| Weekend delivery | 28.6 | 23.9 | 4.8 | 1.28** |
| Preterm birth (≤36 weeks) | 7.9 | 11.0 | −3.1 | 0.70** |
| APGAR 5 score <7† | 3.4 | 3.7 | −0.4 | 0.92 |
| Low birthweight (<2,500 g) | 8.0 | 10.0 | −2.0 | 0.81 |
| Vaginal birth after cesarean section‡ | 26.7 | 9.4 | 17.3 | 3.50** |
| Linear regression | Marginal Effect | |||
| Average birthweight (g) | 3,245 | 3,166 | 79 | 79** |
| Average birthweight at term (g)§ | 3,325 | 3,282 | 43 | 43** |
*p < .05; **p < .01.
†
N for APGAR score at 5 minutes is smaller than the other measures due to missing values.
‡
This analysis is restricted to women who had a previous C-section (N = 4,250 for the usual care group and N = 45 for the Family Health and Birth Center [FHBC] group).
§
Ns for term births are 803 for the FHBC group and 38,773 for the usual care group.
¶
Usual care is the reference group.