Obstetric difficulties in developing countries motivate preference for birth size

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of labor difficulties on mothers preference for birth size. A total of 502 pregnant Ghanaian women were interviewed to ascertain what size of infant they wished to deliver. Information on reasons, measures taken to achieve preferred birth size and birth weight of infants delivered by them was obtained. Results showed that even though mothers had particular preferences for birth size, actual birth weight of infants delivered did not tally with mothers’ preference. More women with previous childbirth experience wanted small infants than those who had no experience. Overall 41 % of the mothers preferred small or medium size infants for easy labor. Large infants on delivery were preferred by 11% of the mothers because they claimed large infants are tough. Approximately 48% of mothers had no particular preference for birth size. It seemed mothers wanting small infants had previous labor problems due to large birth size. A substantial number (40%) of the mothers did not take measures to achieve the preferred birth size. About 4% reported to have reduced their dietary intake to less than the non-pregnancy intake to deliver small infants. About 7% of the women who preferred large infants at birth claimed they ate more food to achieve their aim. Mothers who had mechanical difficulties during labor delivered infants of significantly higher birth weight than those who delivered normally without extra assistance (p < 0.002). Women who experienced a difficult childbirth, believed that high infant birth weight can pose labor problems.