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The Cost of Home Birth in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • David A. Anderson

    (Department of Economics and Business, Centre College, Danville, KY 40422, USA)

  • Gabrielle M. Gilkison

    (Department of Economics and Business, Centre College, Danville, KY 40422, USA)

Abstract

Policy decisions about the accessibility of home birth hinge on questions of safety and affordability. Families consider safety and cost along with the comfort and familiarity of birthing venues. A substantial literature addresses safety concerns, generally reporting that for low-risk mothers in the care of credentialed midwives, the safety of planned home births is comparable to that in birth centers and hospitals. The lack of notable safety tradeoffs for low-risk mothers elevates the relevance of the economic efficiency of home births. The available cost figures for home births are largely out of date or anecdotal. The purpose of this research is to offer scholars, policymakers, and families improved estimates of both the cost of home births and the potential savings from greater access to home births. On the basis of a nationwide study, we estimate that the average cost of a home birth in the United States is USD 4650, which is significantly below existing cost estimates for an uncomplicated birth center or hospital birth. Further, we find that each shift of one percent of births from hospitals to homes would represent an annual cost savings to society of at least USD 321 million.

Suggested Citation

  • David A. Anderson & Gabrielle M. Gilkison, 2021. "The Cost of Home Birth in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-8, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10361-:d:648372
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Patricia A Janssen & Craig Mitton & Jaafar Aghajanian, 2015. "Costs of Planned Home vs. Hospital Birth in British Columbia Attended by Registered Midwives and Physicians," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Vanessa Scarf & Christine Catling & Rosalie Viney & Caroline Homer, 2016. "Costing Alternative Birth Settings for Women at Low Risk of Complications: A Systematic Review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-17, February.
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