Maternity care outcomes: assessing a nursing model of care for low-risk pregnancy.

This study compared two models of maternity care for low-risk pregnant women. It was found that freestanding birth centers offer high-quality, cost-effective maternity care. The results of this study strongly support the need to find ways to educate managed care organizations, employers, and the public about both the quality of these services and economic value. This research method may be useful in assessing other emerging models of care.