Interpregnancy interval and pregnancy outcomes in women who refer to maternal hospitals of Bandar Abbas, Iran, 2001-2002

Introduction: Short or long inter pregnancy intervals increase fetal and maternal
risks. Suitable interval between children increase mothers health level and enable
her to get ready for the next pregnancy. This study is conducted in order to
investigate the pregnancy intervals and the pregnancy issues in Shariati hospital,
Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the relationship between interpregnancy
interval the interval of the last pregnancy whether term or preterm till present
pregnancy) and of the prenatal cares, abortion, pre-eclampsia and eclapmsia,
third trimester bleeding, preterm birth, kind of delivery, still birth and low birth
weight were studied. The population under study were 1093 singleton pregnant
having prior delivery that refer to the maternal hospitals during a year. The
results were analyzed using Chi-Square and analysis of variance statistical tests.
Results: This study shows that short (<12 month) and long (>60 month) inter
pregnancy intervals were respectively observed 13.8% and 32.1%. The greatest
amounts of samples in the pregnancy interval less than 12 months (34-7%) were
observed in 21-25 years old women. The greatest amount of samples in the
pregnancy interval more than 60 month was 36.8% in 26-30 years old women.
There was significant relationship between mother’s age and pregnancy interval
(P<0.05). This rate in the women who had not prenatal cares and did not refer
to the health centers (30.77%), the most amounts related in pregnancy interval of
37-48 months.
Conclusion: Women with short interpregnancy interval (<12 month) had the
highest rates of placenta previa, still birth, preterm birth and low birth weight,
and the rates of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were highest in the women with
interval>60 month. This interval is associated with increased risk for mothers
and fetus.