Number of prenatal visits and pregnancy outcomes in low-risk women.

Abstract

ObjectiveWe investigated the association between number of prenatal visits (PNV) and pregnancy outcomes.Study DesignA retrospective cohort of 12,092 consecutive, uncomplicated term births was included. Exclusion criteria included unknown or 3rd trimester pregnancy dating, pre-existing medical conditions, and common pregnancy complications. Patients with ≤10 PNV were compared to those with > 10. The primary outcome was a neonatal composite including NICU admission, low APGAR score (<7), low umbilical cord pH (<7.10), and neonatal demise. Secondary outcomes included components of the composite as well as vaginal delivery, induction and cesarean delivery. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders.ResultsOf 7256 patients in the cohort meeting inclusion criteria, 30% (N=2163) had >10 PNV and the remaining 70% (N=5093) had ≤10. There was no difference in the neonatal composite between the two groups. However, women with > 10 PNV were more likely to undergo induction of labor and cesarean delivery.ConclusionLow-risk women with ≥ 10 PNV had higher rates of pregnancy interventions without improvement in neonatal outcomes.