Research
Sakellariou Vasiliki, Dritsakou Kalliopi, Tzortzi Alexandra, Nousia Konstantina, Farmakides George
6th Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Elena Venizelou hospital, Athens, Greece
Correspondence: Farmakides George, Elena Venizelou hospital, 2 Elena Venizelou Square, GR-11521 Athens, Greece, E – mail: g.farmakides@hospital-elena.gr
Abstract
Introduction: The actual time of spontaneous delivery has been a matter of investigation for many years by anthropologists and physicians. The aim of this study was to test the possible associations between gestational age, mode, day, duration and time of delivery. Material and Methods: This was an observational study of 412 women given birth in our maternity hospital that were recruited over a two month period, November 1st 2014 to January 1st 2015. Results: Maternal age and parity were found to be higher in women given birth with cesarian section. The
higher percentages of vaginal births and cesarian sections were conducted on Monday and Tuesday and between 08.00 to 12.00 a.m., in both groups. The differences in mode, day and time of labor were statistically significant. Mean duration of vaginal birth was higher on Mondays and Thursdays and between 14.00 to 20.00 p.m. Mean gestational age was higher in vaginal births
compared with cesarian sections although differences were not statistically significant in mode, day and time of delivery. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for maternity hospitals to re – examine practices regarding the non – medically indicated variations in obstetric procedure use, related to time and day of birth.
Keywords: temporal patterns of childbirth, labor, gestational age
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