Hospitalizations during pregnancy among managed care enrollees

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of hospitalizations during pregnancy the reason for hospitalization the length of stay and the associated costs. METHODS: We analyzed data from a national managed care organization and determined the occurrence of hospitalizations for 46, 179 women who had a live birth or a pregnancy loss in 1997. RESULTS: Overall 8.7% of women were hospitalized during their pregnancy. Of these 5.7% were hospitalized and discharged while pregnant 0.8% experienced extended stays before a live birth or pregnancy loss and 2.1% experienced pregnancy loss. Hospitalizations were more common among younger women women with multiple gestations and women in the northeastern United States. Women who had a live birth were primarily hospitalized for preterm labor (24%) hyperemesis (9%) hypertension (9%) kidney disorders (6%) and prolonged premature rupture of membranes (6%). Charges totaled over $36 million. CONCLUSION: Antenatal hospitalizations are common. © 2002 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.