Applied Epidemiology Fellow Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, United States
Out of hospital births, while relatively rare, have grown in popularity in recent years. A joinpoint analysis of Florida birth certificate data was performed to determine the statistical significance of this increase overall, and by maternal race. From 2005 to 2012, the overall rate of out of hospital births increased significantly. This increase slowed from 2012 to 2020. When stratified by race, the percentage of Black mothers delivering out of hospital has also increased significantly since 2014, while the percentage of white mothers has remained steady. While it is unclear if these increases will continue, there are several steps health care providers and agencies can take to meet the potential demand overall, and for reducing inequities in maternity care.
