In total, 924 studies with the potential to be included were reviewed. Studies that had a
robust design (RCTs, but also quasi-randomized and cohort studies) and included healthy
women who had uncomplicated vaginal deliveries in health facilities and gave birth to
healthy neonates who were not of very low birth weight were eligible if they compared
outcomes by time of mothers’ discharge from health facilities (within 24 or 48 hours of
birth versus later). Thirteen studies – seven RCTs (1–7), three prospective cohort (8–10)
and three historical cohort studies (11–13) – met these criteria and were included in the
final analysis. These studies were all conducted in developed country settings except for
one study from Mexico