Obstetric Complications and Pregnancy Outcome Among Grand Multiparous Women.

Objective: To determine whether there are differences between grand multiparous and non-grand multiparous women regarding obstetric risk factors, obstetric compli- cations, and pregnancy out- come.

Study design: A retro- spective case control study was conducted between the years 2011-2012. The study group included grand. mul- tiparous women'(≥5 previous deliveries). The control group included non-grand multiparous women (<5 deliveries) who gave birth immediately after the grand multiparous woman and matched according to parity.

Results: Prenatal care was less adequate in the grand multiparous group (p<0.001). A higher rate of maternal anemia was found in the grand multiparous group as compared to the multiparous group (p<0.001). Grand multiparity was associated with higher rates of amniot- ic fluid disorders such as oligohydramnios, polyhydram- nios, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid (p<0.001). Grand multiparity was also associated with higher. birth weight and a lower rate. of instrumental delivery (p<0.001). Higher parity was not a risk factor for di- abetic disorders, hypertension, and cesarean delivery.

Conclusion: Grand multiparity is a risk factor for inadequate prenatal care, maternal anemia, and amni- otic fluid disorders and is .associated with lower rates of instrumental deliveries and higher birth weight. However, it does not increase the risk for diabetes, hypertension, and cesarean .deliveries.