However, previous studies have not adequately examined the effects of short postpartum stays on maternal and infant outcomes because of small sample sizes, poor study designs, and lack of controls. Further research is needed to determine an optimal length of stay and adequate follow-up care for women and infants. The proposed New Borns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996 would require a minimum coverage for postpartum stays of 48 hours for vaginal deliveries and 96 hours for cesarean deliveries for all insurance plans in all states. Guidelines for perinatal care. Committee on Fetus and Newborn, American Academy of Pediatrics.
Hospital stay for healthy term newborns.
S. Rep. No. 969, 104th Cong. The resulting distributions of length of stay for uncomplicated deliveries were approximately normal. These were identified using distributions specific for type of delivery and occurrence before or after enactment of the law. These four of the state's 73 facilities that perform deliveries initiated pilot testing of an electronic birth certificate that includes the exact time of delivery and the day and hour of discharge for the infant, permitting calculation of length of stay in hours. Return to top.