Obstetrics and Gynecology
Uchenna Kenneth Ezemagu; Godwin Chinedu Uzomba; Chukwuemeka Ubochi; Rachel Ogbu; Augustine Oseloka Ibegbu; Friday Chubuzor Egba; Olisa Onuora; Paul O. Ezeonu; Thecla Ezeonu
Volume 9, Issue 2 , March and April 2024, , Pages 174-184
Abstract
Background & Objective: We considered maternal and birth anthropometric features and fetal sex in developing a labor protocol.Materials & Methods: A prospective study of 400 mothers, having healthy pregnancies and their newborn singletons in gynecology ward of Alex Ekwueme Federal University ...
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Background & Objective: We considered maternal and birth anthropometric features and fetal sex in developing a labor protocol.Materials & Methods: A prospective study of 400 mothers, having healthy pregnancies and their newborn singletons in gynecology ward of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. The study adopted a convenient sampling technique to select the volunteers from 1st July to December 2020. Birth and maternal anthropometries; BMI, height, weight, birth head girth (BHG), waist girth (WG), hip girth (HG) and delivery outcomes: birth mode and duration of 1st and 2nd phases of labor, and Apgar score at 1 minute of birth were measured, using Institute of Medicine guidelines.Results: Maternal age, weight, and HG, and WG at term pregnancy and fetal sex could determine birth mode and weight (P<0.05). The associations for duration of 1st phase of labor and maternal and birth anthropometries were inconsistent. Fetal sex, birth mode and features and maternal anthropometries; body fat, age, BMI and HG were associated with duration of 2nd phase of labor and Apgar score.Conclusion: Maternal anthropometries predispose birth features, and advance age of mothers, relatively large WHR and fetal macrosomia at term pregnancy could increase duration of 2nd phase of labor and risk of a male birth, developing abnormal Apgar score. The strong association between anthropometric variables of a mother and her baby suggests that anthropometric investigations could enhance the choice of birth mode and minimize vaginal birth complications. The study emphasized on the need of a sex specific state-of-the art anthropometric investigations at term pregnancy.
