Inspite of an increasing CS rate, an increasing proportion of PA was noted from 1967 through 1991. The proportion was lowest for birth order two and increased by maternal age. To an increasing extent, PA births were centralized. SGA, prematurity and asphyxia were major problems associated with PA. A tendency towards larger infants and a decreasing relative risk of PA in SGA-births might be attributable to improvements in antenatal care.

Placental abruption is an important cause of perinatal mortality in Norway. Our results are in favor of an active approach with frequent use of cesarean section, also at lower gestational ages. The decreasing case fatality rate by year of birth in all gestational age groups may be attributed to improved obstetric and perinatal care.

No abstract

Preoperative treatment for at least three days with clindamycin cream significantly reduced the risk for developing signs of post-abortion infection only among women with preoperative abnormal vaginal flora (BV and intermediate flora).

Strong associations were observed between breech presentation and low birth order as well as high maternal age. The findings are compatible with both intrinsic as well as environmental mechanisms. A full understanding of the birth order effect necessitates further studies based on sibship data. Prevention of premature delivery would be an effective measure for reducing the breech presentation proportion.