Table 3

Birth characteristics and outcomes among multiparas at low risk for 1996/1997 and 2000/2008

1996/1997 Private hospitals (n=8439) (%)2000–2008 Private hospitals (n=30512) (%)1996/1997 Public hospitals (n=35825) (%)2000–2008 Public hospitals (n=138897) (%)
Maternal age (years)
 20–243.52.422.720.3
 25–2934.529.641.741.5
 30–3461.967.935.638.2
Type of labour
 Spontaneous55.332.376.857
 Augmented7.216.74.813.3
 Induced22.929.512.918.4
 No labour14.521.46.511.2
Delivery
 Vaginal74.366.388.081.2
 Forceps4.21.91.30.8
 Vacuum3.45.21.32.3
 Caesarean section before labour14.521.46.511.2
 Caesarean section after labour3.55.2%2.94.5
Epidural31.335.99.211.8
Episiotomy19.28.372.1
Third degree tear0.210.91.3
Apgar score <7 at 5 min0.80.60.90.9