Does Delivery Beyond 39 Weeks of Gestation Increase the Risk of Stillbirth in an Inner City Population? [19]. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patel, Jigna; Gimovsky, Martin Larry; Koscica, Karen Lynn; Nazir, Munir A.
• Is Part Of: Obstetrics and gynecology. Volume 125(2015)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000462584.14567.a5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-7844

Abstract

Abstract : INTRODUCTION: Delivery beyond 39 weeks of gestation has many neonatal benefits, which has resulted in widespread adoption of a policy limiting elective delivery before 39 weeks. There have been concerns about adverse fetal outcomes associated with this policy. Our objective was to evaluate the rate of stillbirth in an inner city population after institution of a policy limiting elective delivery before 39 weeks of gestation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed. Deliveries were analyzed from January 2007 to December 2007, before the implementation of this policy. We studied births from January 2013 to December 2013 for comparison after the institution of the policy in 2009. The rate of stillbirth was evaluated. Statistical significance was calculated using χ 2 analysis. RESULTS: There were 3, 066 deliveries in 2007, with 10 stillbirths at greater than 39 weeks of gestation, giving a 0.3% stillbirth rate. There were 3, 202 deliveries in 2013, with three stillbirths at greater than 39 weeks of gestation, giving a 0.09% stillbirth rate. There was no statistical significance in these rates ( P =.08). CONCLUSION: We conclude that having a policy limiting elective delivery before 39 weeks of gestation does not increase the stillbirth rate in an inner city population.