title: Number of prenatal visits and pregnancy outcomes in low-risk women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the association between number of prenatal visits (PNV) and pregnancy outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort of 12 092 consecutive, uncomplicated term births was included. Exclusion criteria included unknown or third trimester pregnancy dating, pre-existing medical conditions and common pregnancy complications. Patients with ⩽10 PNV were compared with those with >10. The primary outcome was a neonatal composite including neonatal intensive-care unit admission, low APGAR score (<7), low umbilical cord pH (<7.10) and neonatal demise. Secondary outcomes included components of the composite as well as vaginal delivery, induction and cesarean delivery. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 7256 patients in the cohort meeting inclusion criteria, 30% (N=2163) had >10 PNV and the remaining 70% (N=5093) had ⩽10, respectively. There was no difference in the neonatal composite between the two groups. However, women with>10 PNV were more likely to undergo induction of labor and cesarean delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-risk women with ⩾10 PNV had higher rates of pregnancy interventions without improvement in neonatal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Tuuli
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Caughey
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Odibo
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Macones
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cahill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001034:Apgar Score; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D047929:Term Birth; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult