title: Early discharge of mothers and infants following vaginal childbirth.
abstract: With the construction and implementation of the first birthing center in the Air Force, it became necessary to deviate from the traditional 3-day postpartum hospitalization. The purpose of this study is to evaluate that decision. Three hundred seventy-one vaginal deliveries were examined. The average postpartum stay was 1.6 days. There were two maternal readmissions; both had the onset of symptoms at greater than 3 days postpartum. There were no infant readmissions. In-patient questionnaires revealed only satisfaction from the puerperae. It is the authors' opinion that early discharge is safe, cost-effective, and should be considered for implementation where feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USAF Academy Hospital, USAF Academy, CO 80840.
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Berryman
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Rhodes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States