Differences in timing of delivery among rural women in the United States

Abstract

National safety and quality efforts have aimed to optimize delivery timing at 39 weeks of gestation. The 39-week rule was the result of evidence suggesting reduced neonatal morbidity and mortality with delivery at 39 weeks’ gestation or beyond compared with deliveries in the early-term period (defined as 37+0 to 38+6 weeks of gestation).1–3 Studies show broad compliance with this effort nationally. However, it is unclear if differences in compliance to the 39-week rule exist for rural women. We sought to determine the differences in timing of delivery among rural women in the United States.