Effect of Maternal and Pregnancy Risk Factors on Early Neonatal Death in Planned Home Births Delivering at Home

Abstract

ObjectiveThe prevalence of home birth in the United States is increasing, although its safety is undetermined. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of obstetrical risk factors on early neonatal death in planned home births delivering at home. MethodsThe authors conducted a retrospective 3-year cohort study consisting of planned home births that delivered at home in the United States between 2011 and 2013. The study excluded infants with congenital and chromosomal anomalies and infants born at ≤34 weeks' gestation. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted effects of individual obstetrical variables on early neonatal deaths within 7 days of delivery. ResultsDuring the study period, there were 71 704 planned and delivered home births. The overall early neonatal death rate was 1.5 deaths per 1000 planned home births. The risks of early neonatal death were significantly higher in nulliparous births (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.71–4.31), women with a previous CS (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.25–5.52), non-vertex presentations (OR 4.27; 95% CI 1.33–13.75), plural births (OR 9.79; 95% CI 4.25–22.57), preterm births (OR 4.68; 95% CI 2.30–9.51), and births at ≥41 weeks of gestation (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.09–2.84). ConclusionEarly neonatal deaths occur more commonly in certain obstetrical contexts. Patient selection may reduce adverse neonatal outcomes among planned home births.