Introduction: Short or long inter pregnancy intervals increase fetal and maternal risks. Suitable interval between children increase mothers health level and enable her to get ready for the next pregnancy. This study is conducted in order to investigate the pregnancy intervals and the pregnancy issues in Shariati hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the relationship between interpregnancy interval the interval of the last pregnancy whether term or preterm till present pregnancy) and of the prenatal cares, abortion, pre-eclampsia and eclapmsia, third trimester bleeding, preterm birth, kind of delivery, still birth and low birth weight were studied. The population under study were 1093 singleton pregnant having prior delivery that refer to the maternal hospitals during a year. The results were analyzed using Chi-Square and analysis of variance statistical tests.
Results: This study shows that short (<12 month) and long (>60 month) inter pregnancy intervals were respectively observed 13.8% and 32.1%. The greatest amounts of samples in the pregnancy interval less than 12 months (34-7%) were observed in 21-25 years old women. The greatest amount of samples in the pregnancy interval more than 60 month was 36.8% in 26-30 years old women. There was significant relationship between mother’s age and pregnancy interval (P<0.05). This rate in the women who had not prenatal cares and did not refer to the health centers (30.77%), the most amounts related in pregnancy interval of 37-48 months.
Conclusion: Women with short interpregnancy interval (<12 month) had the highest rates of placenta previa, still birth, preterm birth and low birth weight, and the rates of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were highest in the women with interval>60 month. This interval is associated with increased risk for mothers and fetus.