Grandmultiparas in modern obstetrics

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare incidence of antenatal and intrapartum complications among women who had previously delivered five or more times (grandmultiparas cases, 155) with that of age-matched women with two to three previous deliveries (multiparas controls, 155) from 1998 to 2003. Grandmultiparity was associated with a low socioeconomic status, higher incidence of smoking, and a higher body mass index. Grandmultiparas had approximately 2-fold increased risk of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, malpresentation, and preterm delivery, and a 3-fold increased risk of abruption; none reached statistical significance. No significant differences were found in antepartum hemorrhage, anemia, postdatism, polyhydramnios, or placenta previa. Intrapartum complications (labor induction, nonreassuring fetal heart, primary cesarean delivery, and intrapartum fever) were similar; however, operative vaginal delivery was significantly lower in grandmultiparas cases. Both groups were similar regarding birthweight, macrosomia, intrauterine growth restriction, Apgar scores, and stillbirth rates. Our study shows a trend toward an increased risk of adverse obstetrical outcome in grandmultiparas compared with multiparas independent of maternal age.