The Influence of Lunar Cycle on Frequency of Birth, Birth Complications, Neonatal Outcome and the Gender: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Objective. The relation of lunar phases to the birth rate has been the focus of considerable research with still controversial results. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the lunar cycle on the frequency of birth, on instrumental delivery, neonatal outcome as well as a possible relationship between lunar position at time of conception and the gender of the child. Material and methods. Six thousand seven hundred and twenty five deliveries were retrospectively analyzed from 01 January 2000 to 31 December 2006 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University Medical School of Hannover. Inclusion criteria were: spontaneous vaginal births without induction, vacuum and forceps extractions as well as non-elective cesarean sections, all cases without labor induction. Exact lunar phases were determined by means of birthday and birth time by a specific computer software. Results. The analysis revealed no significant correlation of birth rate to lunar phases. There were also no significant differences regarding birth complications, neonatal outcome and gender to the lunar cycle at the time of conception. Conclusion. There is no predictable influence of the lunar cycle on deliveries or delivery complications nor to the gender of the baby. As expected and in agreement with some recent studies this pervasive myth is not evidence based.