Reducing the Postpartum Length of Stay: Implications for Emergency Department Presentations at a Tertiary Women’s Hospital

( Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol . 2025;65:85-90. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13849.) High-quality postpartum care is required for optimal outcomes for mother and neonate; however, the average length of postpartum stay (LOS) in Australian hospitals has been decreasing over the last 30 years. While reducing LOS can reduce hospital costs, there is concern that this increases the burden on emergency services and primary care due to complications not detected before a patient leaves the hospital. There is limited evidence on the effect of reduced LOS on these resources, so this study was designed to assess this relationship by evaluating changes in emergency service (ED) use in the first 6 weeks postpartum for both mothers and newborns.