Evaluation of labor indices in prolonged pregnancy in Shabihkhani Hospital, Kashan 2003

Prolonged pregnancy influences different aspects of maternal and neonatal health. Although it is accepted that drug intervention is necessary before labor in prolonged pregnancy but there is debate about the termination time of the pregnancy. Considering the importance and prevalence of this entity we studied the labor indices in the hospitalized women with prolonged pregnancy in Kashan, in 1382-1383. This descriptive study carried out on 450 women with gestational age of more than 40 weeks (based on their LMP or sonography before 30 weeks) admitted for termination of pregnancy by induction. They had no medical or obstetrical problem. Labor indices including dilatation and effacement at the time of admission, number of inductions, duration of hospitalization, dystocia and type of delivery, as well as mother’s age, history of prolonged pregnancy, and number of parturitions were recorded and then on the base of gestational age categorized in 4 following groups: 40w to 41w and 3days, 40w and 4days to 41w, 41w and 1days to 41w and 3days and 41w, 4days or more. Data showed that 131 women (%29.1) have terminated in 40 to 40w and 3days of gestation and 130 women (%28.9) in 40w and 4days to 41w, 150 women (%33.3) in 41w and 1days to 41w and 3days and only 39 women (%8.7) after 41w and 3 day 12 (2.7%) of which were more than 42 weeks. There wasn’t significant difference between women in dilatation and effacement on admission, dystocia and type of delivery but there was significant difference in the number of induction and duration of hospitalization. Termination of pregnancy in lower gestational age causes increased number of inductions and duration of hospitalization. The most frequent reason for cesarean section was lack of response to drug interventions and induction in lower gestational age. We recommend no intervention for termination of delayed pregnancy up to 41.5 weeks in women without problem.