MATERNITY EXPERIENCES IN A MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION

We conducted a telephone survey of female managed care enrollees who r ecently had a normal vaginal delivery to examine the relationship betw een hospital length-of-stay and maternal characteristics, pregnancy fa ctors, length-of-stay preferences, and postdischarge experiences. Resu lts indicated that length-of-stay varied by maternal characteristics a nd pregnancy factors. Length-of-stay and maternal or newborn readmissi ons were not statistically associated. Most respondents reported that they would be willing to go home within twenty-four hours after future deliveries if additional services were provided. Emphasis should be p laced on which services can be provided to prepare and assist mothers through the perinatal period.