The effect of long interpregnancy interval on labor characteristics and pregnancy outcomes: A tertiary maternity hospital experience

Objective: We evaluated effect of long interpregnancy intervals (IPI) on the length of labor and perinatal outcomes. Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, 249 women with uncomplicated vaginal delivery were divided into three groups (Nulliparous women was first group, multiparous women with IPI shorter than 3 years second group and women with IPI longer than 6 years the last group). Results: Nulliparous women had longer total delivery time than multiparous women (p< 0.01). But admission to NICU (p = 0.30) and meconium stain rates (p= 0.74) were similar. Total delivery time meconium stain and NICU admission rates for multiparous women in short IPI group (<3 years) were similar to women with a longer IPI (> 6 years). But more women in longer IPI group needed oxytocin augmention (p=0.031). Conclusion: Multiparous women with prolonged IPI might be evaluated in the same way as women with shorter IPIs with favorable perinatal outcomes. But obstetrician should be more cautious with the potential risks of labor augmentation with oxytocin in this group of patients.