Perinatal Mortality and Neonatal and Maternal Outcome Per Gestational Week in Term Pregnancies: A Registry-based Study

Abstract

(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2023;102:82–91) The risks of maternal, fetal and neonatal adverse outcomes have a wide variance within the window of full-term gestation, 37+0/7 to 41+6/7 weeks. For uncomplicated pregnancies, the prevalence of complications is generally low. However, the optimal timing of delivery especially for pregnancies with added risk factors is open to debate. The strategy of expectant management has been challenged by studies showing increased favorable outcomes (fewer occurrences of stillbirth, adverse neonatal outcomes, cesarean deliveries, hypertensive events, and increased maternal satisfaction) when elective induction was employed between 39 and 41 weeks. This study examined the relationship between per week gestational age and adverse perinatal, neonatal and maternal outcomes, with regard to balancing risks and benefits of expectant management versus interventions at term.