Context: Pregnancies are classified as intended, mistimed or unwanted by the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG). However, whether the magnitude of mistiming is associated with maternal behaviors and pregnancy outcomes has not been explored. Methods: Data on intendedness status (intended, mistimed £ 24 months, mistimed >24 months, unwanted), initiation of prenatal care (£8 weeks/>8 weeks), initiation of breastfeeding (yes/no), low birth weight (<2500 grams/³2500 grams) and prematurity (<37 weeks/³37 weeks) were extracted from the 1995 NSFG data base. Three pairwise comparisons (intended/£24 months mistimed; £24 months/>24 months mistimed; >24 months mistimed/unwanted) were conducted using Chi square to test for significant differences by intendedness status for the two maternal behaviors (prenatal care and breastfeeding) and two pregnancy outcomes (low birth weight and prematurity). To adjust for the multiple comparisons, a P value of £ .005 was specified. Results: Women with intended pregnancies were significantly more likely than those with moderately mistimed pregnancies (£24 months) to present for prenatal care in the first eight weeks (72.6% vs 64.4%) and to initiate breastfeeding (58.8% vs 51.6%). Similarly, those with moderately mistimed pregnancies were significantly more likely those with more seriously mistimed pregnancies (>24 months) to present in the first eight weeks (64.4% vs 52.4%) and to initiate breastfeeding (51.6% vs 39.5%). Conclusions: Maternal behaviors such as initiation of prenatal care and breastfeeding appear to differ with the extent of mistiming. The extent of mistiming may have implications for planning service delivery for pregnant women.
Learning Objectives: At the close of this presentation, participants will be able to: describe the association of more and less seriously mistimed pregnancies with maternal behaviors and pregnancy outcomes; discuss the implications of mistimed pregnancies for prenatal counseling and eduation
Keywords: Pregnancy Outcomes, Prenatal Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.