IMPORTANCE OF TIME TO PLANNED PREGNANCY FOR PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY OUTCOMES

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the significance of time to planned pregnancy (TTPP) for pregnancy and delivery outcomes.

Materials and methods. A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics between August 2020 through November 2020. Women who gave birth to alive newborn after a planned pregnancy and signed the informed consent were included into the study group. The data of medical history and pregnancy and delivery outcomes were collected from questionnaire and medical records. The participants were divided into three subgroups regarding TTPP: I ≤12 months, II >12≤24 months, III >24 months. Data analysis was made using SPSS 26.0, results with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results. The estimated TTPP median of the study group (n=120) is 8.5 months Patients in subgroups II and III were significantly older (p<0.01). The women in subgroup III were diagnosed with chronic illnesses (p=0.003) and gynecologic disorders (p=0.003) more frequently. Gestational diabetes was more frequently diagnosed in groups II (p=0.026) and III (p<0.001). Gestational hypertension was more frequent in group III (p=0.010). Participants in group III had a higher frequency of premature births (p=0,014). Emergency cesarean section was more common in groups II (p=0.015) and III (p=0.043).

Conclusion. Longer TTPP is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy and delivery complications.