Influence of parity on the outcomes of pregnancy

Birth certificate data over a 3-month period of time were studied to determine the effects of parity on selected outcomes of pregnancy. The two hypotheses were (a) increased parity is associated with increased maternal morbidity and (b) increased neonatal morbidity. Regression analysis was utilized to determine the predictive birth weights of selected independent variables (including parity) for selected outcomes. Regression analysis indicated that increased parity was not predictive of poor pregnancy outcome in the majority of women. The two hypotheses could not be supported. The exception was in women 35 years and older who entered the pregnancy with previous pregnancy-associated medical risks. Regression analysis did indicate increased risk for poor pregnancy outcomes in overweight women and in smokers.