Celebrating Important New Research on Midwife-Led Birth Centers The excellent outcomes for the 15,574 women enrolled in this study and their infants demonstrate the essential role that midwives and birth centers play in improving birth outcomes and reducing health care costs in the U.S. Notable findings include a 6% cesarean section rate (similar low-risk women receiving care in hospitals experience an estimated 24% rate), a 12% transport rate in labor, and very low rates of fetal and newborn deaths. In addition, the researchers estimate that these 15,574 women receiving care by midwives in birth centers saved the system over $30 million, due to the reduced cesarean section rate and reduced facility fees. These findings mirror the results of a Washington State cost/benefits analysis which found significant cost savings to both public and private payers due to reduced cesarean section with the care of CPMs/LMs. The outcomes from this research are cause for celebration as they suggest that both Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives practicing in birth centers are providing competent, high-quality, low- intervention, cost- effective care to women and their newborns. NACPM is deeply grateful to the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) for this important research and its promotion, to the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) for its publication and promotion, and to all of the women, midwives and birth centers who participated in the study. Please help spread the word about this study! On Facebook? Please help the AABC spread the word. The AABC has made shareable images you can find here or here. In celebration, Mary Lawlor, CPM Executive Director, NACPM Suzy Myers, CPM President, NACPM |