Unit cost estimation involved a combination of bottom - up
and top - down costing methods
and followed guidance on costing healthcare services as part of an economic evaluation.15 17 Detailed unit costs, derived from the finance
departments of participating trusts
and information provided by senior midwives, were estimated for resource inputs into the following components of intrapartum
and after birth care for all settings: homebirth
delivery packs; NHS reimbursement for midwifery travel; some forms of pain relief; alternative modes of
delivery; active management of the third stage of
labour; suturing for episiotomy; suturing third
and fourth degree perineal tears; manual removal of the placenta; blood transfusions;
and care after a stillbirth or neonatal death.