Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effects of different interpregnancy intervals on adverse maternal and infant outcomes in re-pregnant women after a single caesarean section.
Methods A total of 999 cases of women who were re-pregnant after a single caesarean section were collected and divided into the 0-17 months, 18-35 months, 36-59 months, and ≥60 months groups according to the length of interpregnancy interval.The general data of the mothers in each group were compared, and the effect of interpregnancy interval on the adverse outcomes of mothers and infants was analyzed.
Results The comparative differences in the age, prenatal body mass, education level, and pregnancy time of women who became pregnant after a single cesarean section in different interpregnancy interval groups were all statistically significant (P < 0.05).The comparative differences in height, permanent residence, and birth were not statistically significant (P>0.05).The differences in the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes, placenta praevia, postpartum haemorrhage, and neonatal transfer to the NICU in the different interpregnancy interval groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).Compared with the 18-35 months group, the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes, placenta praevia, and postpartum haemorrhage increased in the ≥60 months group, and the rate of neonatal transfer to the NICU increased in the 0-17 months group, and all the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).After correcting for confounders, the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes, placenta praevia, and low-birth-body mass babies was elevated in the ≥60 months group compared with the 18-35 months group; the risk of anaemia in pregnancy and post-partum haemorrhage was increased in both the 0-17 months group and ≥60 month groups the risk of preterm birth was increased in the 36-59 months group and ≥60 month group; and the increased NICU admissions in the 0-17 months group (P < 0.05~P < 0.01).
Conclusions Excessively long or short interpregnancy intervals increase the incidence of adverse maternal and infant outcomes, and women who have a second pregnancy 18-35 months after a single cesarean section have relatively favorable pregnancy outcomes.