Women’s beliefs about the duration of pregnancy and the earliest gestational age to safely give birth.

Abstract

Background: American evidence suggests women are not well informed about the optimal duration of pregnancy or the earliest time for safe birth. Similar evidence does not exist in Australia. Aims: To explore pregnant women’s beliefs about the duration of pregnancy and the earliest time for safe birth, and to compare the results with US data. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at four public hospitals in Sydney, Australia, included collection of maternal and pregnancy characteristics, and two questions exploring women’s beliefs about the duration of pregnancy, and the earliest time for safe birth. Responses were grouped as: late preterm (34-36 weeks), early term (37-38 weeks), and full term (39-40 weeks). Results: Of 784 surveyed women, 52% chose 39-40 weeks as the duration of a full term pregnancy, while for the earliest time for safe birth, 10% chose 39-40 weeks and 57% chose 37-38 weeks. Some maternal characteristics were associated with women’s beliefs, including having a medical and/or pregnancy complication, country of birth, level of education, employment status, and attending a tertiary hospital. The associations were different for each question. In comparison with US studies, Australian women were more likely to choose later gestations for both the duration of pregnancy and the earliest time for safe birth. Conclusions: A significant proportion of Australian women believe that full term pregnancy and earliest time for safe birth occur before 39 weeks, suggesting opportunities for antenatal education.