Does practice make perfect? An age-matched study on grand multiparity in Flanders, Belgium.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the perinatal outcome of grand multi-parous women (giving birth for the fifth to ninth time) and pauciparous (parity 2 to 4) women in the region of Flanders, Belgium.


METHODS
Population-based, retrospective, age-matched study.


RESULTS
2832 grand multiparous women were compared with 2832 pauciparous women. In univariate analysis grand multiparous women showed more transverse lie, macrosomia, and fetal death and had less frequently epidural analgesia and episiotomy. Logistic regression demonstrated that grand multiparity was a significant factor contributing to fetal death and macrosomia.


CONCLUSIONS
Grand multiparity is associated with fetal death and macrosomia in the region of Flanders, Belgium.
Department of Ostetrics and Gynecology, Antwerp University Hospital UZA, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium. Yves.Jacquemyn@uza.be
Yves
Y
Jacquemyn
Leen
L
Senten
Sanne
S
Vellinga
Katrien
K
Vermeulen
Guy
G
Martens
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004841:Episiotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007746:Labor Presentation; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors