Abstract
ObjectiveDescribe the association between the number of breastfeeding supportive practices a hospital has in place and the cost of an uncomplicated birth.MethodsData from hospitals in 20 states that participated in the 2007 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey and Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's (HCUP) State Inpatient Databases (SID) were merged to calculate the average median hospital cost of uncomplicated vaginal and C‐section births by number of ideal practices indicating the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate change in birth cost for each additional ideal practice in place.ResultsUnadjusted analyses of uncomplicated births revealed a significant increase in the cost of C‐section births ($98) with each additional practice in place, but no significant increase in the cost of all births or vaginal births ($44 and $35, respectively). The adjusted model showed no significant difference in cost per additional practice among any of the birth groups (all births, $19; vaginal, $15; C‐section, $40).ConclusionsOur results revealed that the number of breastfeeding supportive practices a hospital has in place are not significantly associated with higher birth costs. Concern for higher birth costs is not necessarily a barrier for improving maternity care practices that support women who choose to breastfeed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
