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Birth outcomes in primiparous women who were raped as adults: a matched controlled study

  1. H Nerum1,
  2. L Halvorsen1,
  3. P Øian1,2,
  4. T Sørlie2,3,
  5. B Straume4,
  6. E Blix5,6

Article first published online: 15 DEC 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02454.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 117, Issue 3, pages 288–294, February 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Nerum, H., Halvorsen, L., Øian, P., Sørlie, T., Straume, B. and Blix, E. (2010), Birth outcomes in primiparous women who were raped as adults: a matched controlled study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 117: 288–294. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02454.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø

  2. 2

    Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø

  3. 3

    Institute of Specialised Psychiatry, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø

  4. 4

    Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø

  5. 5

    Clinical Research Centre, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø

  6. 6

    Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, Norway

*L Halvorsen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of North Norway N-9038 Tromsø, Norway. Email lotta.halvorsen@unn.no

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 JAN 2010
  2. Article first published online: 15 DEC 2009
  3. Accepted 25 October 2009. Published Online 15 December 2009.

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Keywords:

  • Birth outcome;
  • prolonged labour;
  • rape;
  • sexual abuse

Please cite this paper as: Nerum H, Halvorsen L, Øian P, Sørlie T, Straume B, Blix E. Birth outcomes in primiparous women who were raped as adults: a matched controlled study. BJOG 2010;117:288–294.

Objective  To compare the duration of labour and the birth outcome in a group of primiparous women who had been raped after the age of 16, with a control group from the same birth cohort.

Design  Cohort study.

Setting  University Hospital of North Norway.

Sample  Fifty women raped as adults and 150 controls.

Methods  Data about birth outcomes in the first pregnancy were collected from the patient files and data concerning the assault were obtained in a subsequent pregnancy through consultations with the women who had been raped. Birth outcomes in the group of women who had been raped were compared with matched controls using a multivariable logistic regression model.

Main outcome measures  Caesarean section, operative vaginal delivery and duration of labour.

Results  During their first delivery, the women who had been raped had an increased risk for caesarean section (adjusted odds ratio 15.7, 95% CI 5.0–49.1) and for assisted vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio 13.1, 95% CI 4.9–34.5) when compared with controls. The group of women who had been raped had a longer second stage of labour than the control group (120 versus 55 minutes, P < 0.01). They were more often single mothers, unemployed and smokers, and had a higher body mass index and more previous pregnancy terminations and miscarriages than the control group.

Conclusions  The women who had been raped had a longer second stage of labour, and an increased risk of caesarean section and operative vaginal delivery compared with controls from the general birth cohort. These findings indicate that the consequences for delivery for women who had been raped as adults could be specific and may warrant particular attention. The birth experience of women who had been raped should also be illuminated in future studies.

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