Table 3.
Part of variables investigated in analysis
| Variable | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Maternal age (y) | age of delivery; categorized into four groups: < 18, 18–34.9, 35–39.9 and ≥ 40 years. |
| Parity | grouped into no previous deliveries (0), 1–2 previous deliveries, and ≥ 3 previous deliveries. |
| BMI (kg/m2) | low weight < 18.5; normal: 18.5–24.9; overweight: 25–29.9; obesity≥30. |
| Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy | categorized into gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia; gestational hypertension was defined as only if she did not have codes for pre-existing hypertension or preeclampsia or eclampsia. |
| Anemia | hemoglobin< 9 g/dL before delivery. |
| Thrombocytopenia | platelet count< 100*109/L. |
| Prolonged labor | prolonged first stage of labor was determined as deviation of cervical dilatation from the normal rate of 1 cm/hour in the active phase or slow progress of the descent of the presenting part through birth canal; prolonged second stage of labor was> 1 h from complete cervical dilation to delivery if multiparous and > 2 h between complete cervical dilation and delivery if nulliparous. |
| Precipitate labor | 3 h or less from the onset of regular contractions to birth. |
| Macrosomia | substituted by a birthweight of ≥4 kg. |