Trends in childbirth before 39 weeks' gestation without medical indication.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is increasing attention to labor induction and cesarean delivery occurring at 37 0/7-38 6/7 weeks' gestation (early-term) without medical indication.

Objective

To measure prevalence, change over time, patient characteristics, and infant outcomes associated with early-term nonindicated births.

Research design and subjects

Retrospective analysis using linked hospital discharge and birth certificate data for the 7,296,363 uncomplicated births (>37 0/7 wk' gestation) between 1995 and 2009 in 3 states.

Measures

Early-term nonindicated birth is calculated using diagnosis codes and birth certificate records. Secondary outcomes included infant prolonged length of stay and respiratory distress.

Results

Across uncomplicated term births, the early-

SUBMITTER: Kozhimannil KB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4096132 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature