Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between race/ethnicity and maternal preferences for perinatal outcomes using a willingness-to-pay utility metric. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 719 pregnant women in the third trimester. Women reported demographics including race/ethnicity and insurance (private or MediCal). Preferences for perinatal outcomes were assessed using a willingness-to-pay (WTP) metric. Results were stratified by insurance status, and chi-square tests were performed to assess differences in preferences based on race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Among women with private insurance, Latinas and Asians were less likely to be willing to pay to achieve their preferred mode of delivery or to avoid incontinence, labor induction, and postpartum depression. Additionally, Latinas were least willing to pay to avoid a NICU admission. Among women with Medical, there were only minimal differences in willingness to pay. CONCLUSION: After stratifying by insurance, we found negligible racial/ethnic differences among those with public insurance, but many differences by race/ethnicity among those with private insurance. These findings may allow providers to gain insight on how to improve perinatal counseling and care for women of different racial/ethnic backgrounds.