Great grand multiparity: is it a risk?

OBJECTIVE: To compare antenatal and intrapartum complications incidence among women delivering for the 10th time or more and to compare this with those of low parity (para 2-5). METHODS: The records of (154) women of great grand multipara (para > 10) were reviewed and compared with (308) women (para 2-5) delivered during the same period. Antepartum as well as intrapartum complications were compared, all occurring between 16 April 1994 and 15 January 1995. RESULTS: Great grand multiparous women are older. The incidence of diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension and preterm labor are similar to those with low parity, while they have higher incidences of pre-eclampsia (7.1% vs. 2.69%) and intrauterine fetal death (5.2 vs. 1.3%) P < 0.025. There were no differences in the incidences of placental abruption, placenta previa, malpresentation, postpartum hemorrhage and operative delivery between the two groups. Great grand multipara also have a higher incidence of macrosomia (12% vs. 12%) P < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: Great grand multiparous woman are at increased risk of having pre-eclampsia, intrauterine fetal death and macrosomia.