Revisiting an "old" solution to the high costs of maternity care.

This article examines the high costs of maternity care in the United States and proposes an old fashioned solution--the midwife. Particular attention is given to the costs associated with poor birth outcomes, such as prematurity and low-birthweight infants. Literature is reviewed that demonstrates certified nurse-midwives have achieved a reduction in these poor birth outcomes. Projections of cost savings resulting from these better outcomes are also presented.