Table 3.
Birth characteristics and outcomes among multiparas at low risk for 1996/1997 and 2000/2008
| 1996/1997 Private hospitals (n=8439) (%) | 2000–2008 Private hospitals (n=30512) (%) | 1996/1997 Public hospitals (n=35825) (%) | 2000–2008 Public hospitals (n=138897) (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maternal age (years) | ||||
| 20–24 | 3.5 | 2.4 | 22.7 | 20.3 |
| 25–29 | 34.5 | 29.6 | 41.7 | 41.5 |
| 30–34 | 61.9 | 67.9 | 35.6 | 38.2 |
| Type of labour | ||||
| Spontaneous | 55.3 | 32.3 | 76.8 | 57 |
| Augmented | 7.2 | 16.7 | 4.8 | 13.3 |
| Induced | 22.9 | 29.5 | 12.9 | 18.4 |
| No labour | 14.5 | 21.4 | 6.5 | 11.2 |
| Delivery | ||||
| Vaginal | 74.3 | 66.3 | 88.0 | 81.2 |
| Forceps | 4.2 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Vacuum | 3.4 | 5.2 | 1.3 | 2.3 |
| Caesarean section before labour | 14.5 | 21.4 | 6.5 | 11.2 |
| Caesarean section after labour | 3.5 | 5.2% | 2.9 | 4.5 |
| Epidural | 31.3 | 35.9 | 9.2 | 11.8 |
| Episiotomy | 19.2 | 8.3 | 7 | 2.1 |
| Third degree tear | 0.2 | 1 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Apgar score <7 at 5 min | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.9 |