title: Labour ward activity and the lunar cycle.
abstract: To refute the commonly held belief by the general public that the lunar cycle affects labour, we studied 10 027 deliveries over an 18-month period in a large maternity unit in Ireland. There was no increase in the total number of deliveries during the times of a full moon compared with other times. The caesarean section, instrumental vaginal delivery, and pre-term delivery rate remained unchanged over the times of a full moon. We conclude that the lunar cycle has no influence on labour ward activity.
authors.affiliation: National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wingfield
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McQuillan