Hitzert M, et al. - This study encompassed an estimation of the cost-effectiveness of a planned birth in a birth centre compared with alternative planned places of birth for low-risk women. There were no variations in costs and health outcomes for low-risk women under the care of a community midwife with a planned birth in a birth centre and in a hospital. The planned birth at home appeared to be the most cost-effective option compared with planned birth in a birth centre, for nulliparous and multiparous low-risk women.