How do birthing centers reduce medical costs?

• A. By using hospital nurseries
• B. Using certified nurse midwives
• C. Through telemedicine
• D. By increasing fees

Answer: (B)

Care by certified nurse midwives in birth centers reduces costs by delivering low-intervention, evidence-based care for uncomplicated pregnancies in a less resource-heavy setting. CNMs focus on normal birth processes, which lowers the need for expensive interventions—fewer cesareans, fewer instrumental deliveries, and fewer routine hospital tests. Birth centers are designed for comfort and efficiency, with streamlined procedures and lower overhead, so stays are usually shorter and overall costs are reduced. When complications arise, CNMs coordinate transfers to appropriate facilities, maintaining safety while avoiding unnecessary high-cost care.

Other options don’t drive the same savings: hospital nurseries are higher-cost environments due to hospital overhead and more interventions; telemedicine helps some aspects but isn’t the main cost reducer for the birth experience; increasing fees would raise costs rather than lower them.