Effect of Grand Multiparity on Intrapartum and Newborn Complications in Young Women

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of high parity on complications in young women, aged 18-34 years. METHODS: Seven years of Utah birth certificate data were reviewed (1995-2001). Young nulliparas and primiparas were compared with young grand and great grand multi-paras by using logistic regression. Young grand multiparas were compared with older grand multiparas. RESULTS: Young grand multiparas were more likely to have a preterm delivery and less likely to experience fetal distress, instrumented delivery, cesarean delivery, and any intrapartum complication than young nulliparas or primiparas. Young grand multiparas were less likely to experience many complications than their older counterparts. CONCLUSION: Among young women, grand and great grand multiparity does not increase the risk for most intrapartum and newborn complications. Young grand and great grand multiparas are at significantly decreased risk for many complications when compared with young women of lower parity and older grand and great grand multiparas. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.