Average Gestational Age at Spontaneous Onset of Labour for Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Health Institution in South-South, Nigeria: A 5–Year Review

Abstract

Background: The average gestational age at onset of labour which could be spontaneous or induced differs among pregnant women. The gestational age correlates with the maturity of the foetus which in turn plays an important role in the initiation of labour. Objective: To determine the average gestational age at onset of labour, induction of labour and Caesarean section at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a five-year retrospective review amongst patients who presented to the labour ward of Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa in labour between 1st January, 2016 and 31st December, 2020. Data was entered into a pre-designed proforma and analysed using IBM SPSS version 23.0. Results: There were 4,571 deliveries in the 5-year period under review. More than half (55.3%) of the women were in the fourth decade of life, with median age of 31 years (15 – 52 years), about half (52.3%), of the women were multiparous, while almost a quarter (23.5%) were primiparous. The modal gestational age for spontaneous onset of labour for all pregnant women was 38 weeks. Two-third (66.0%) of the women were delivered per vaginam, while the other one-third (34.0%) had Caesarean section. Conclusion: The gestational age at onset of labour and delivery is associated with foetal and maternal outcomes. It is therefore necessary for women to have antennal care and interventions in pregnancy under qualified healthcare providers, as this will in turn reduce the public health burdens of large number of preterm deliveries.