Publication:

Neonatal birth weight as a predictor of mode of delivery in singleton term pregnancies at a tertiary level maternity hospital in Urban Mumbai

Background Mode of delivery is determined by a variety of feto-maternal factors like fetal presentation, maternal age, parity as well as environmental factors such as place of residence, quality of ANC care etc. Aim was to assess if neonatal birth wight (NBW) affected the mode of delivery at a tertiary level maternity hospital in urban Mumbai.

Methods Ours was an observational study having cross sectional design, utilizing data retrieved from hospital records, conducted at Cama and Albless Hospital in Mumbai over 3 months- July 2023 -September 2023. Data regarding maternal parity, age, mode of delivery and neonatal birth weight was compiled in Microsoft Excel 2017 from hospital records after taking Ethics Committee permission for the same.

Results In n=104 live viable term singleton pregnancies observed over 3 months LSCS rate of 25.96% was observed, higher Neonatal birth weight (NBW) was associated with caesarean delivery. 89% of the underweight neonates ( 4kg) were delivered by LSCS. Maternal age correlated positively with neonatal weight and parity. Neonatal sex was not associated with mode of delivery or NBW.

Conclusions Mode of delivery is affected by NBW, but not by maternal age or neonatal sex.  Mode of delivery in first pregnancy significantly determines mode of delivery in subsequent pregnancies.