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Fetal Gender Effects on Induction of Labor in Postdate Pregnancies

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Abstract

Objective

To determine delivery outcome in women undergoing induction of labor for postdate pregnancy in relation to fetal gender.

Study Design

A total of 365 nulliparous and 127 multiparous women carrying singleton postdate pregnancies with unfavorable cervix were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and delivery outcome were analyzed in relation to fetal gender.

Results

Women carrying male fetuses showed higher rate of caesarean section than those carrying females, in both nulliparous and multiparous women. Moreover, women carrying male fetuses presented more frequently with (i) interval between induction of labor and delivery >24 hours (P < .0002); (ii) augmentation of labor after cervical ripening (P < .0391); (iii) meconium-stained liquor (P< .0126); and (iv) higher neonatal weight (P < .0011) than those carrying females.

Conclusion

Male fetuses are more likely to be associated with higher rates of cesarean section. In maternal fetal medicine, gender differences may add prognostic information on the delivery outcome in women induced for postdate pregnancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Policlinico “S Maria alle Scotte,”, Viale Bracci, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Michela Torricelli MD, PhD, Chiara Voltolini MD, Francesca L. Vellucci MD, Nathalie Conti MD, Caterina Bocchi MD, Filiberto M. Severi MD & Felice Petraglia MD

  2. Departments of Physiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    John R. Challis MD, PhD

  3. Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

    Roger Smith MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Michela Torricelli MD, PhD
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  2. Chiara Voltolini MD
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  3. Francesca L. Vellucci MD
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  4. Nathalie Conti MD
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  5. Caterina Bocchi MD
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  6. Filiberto M. Severi MD
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  7. John R. Challis MD, PhD
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  8. Roger Smith MD, PhD
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  9. Felice Petraglia MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Felice Petraglia MD.

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Torricelli, M., Voltolini, C., Vellucci, F.L. et al. Fetal Gender Effects on Induction of Labor in Postdate Pregnancies. Reprod. Sci. 20, 670–674 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719112462631

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719112462631

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