Gestational age and socio-demographic factors associated with school performance at the age of 12 years, a population-based study.

Background: Gestational age is positively associated with cognitive development, but socio-demographic factors also influence school performance. Previous studies suggested possible interaction, putting children with low socio-economic status (SES) at increased risk of the negative effects of prematurity.

Objectives: To investigate the association between gestational age in weeks, socio-demographic characteristics, and school performance at the age of 12 years among children in regular primary education.

Does induction of labor at 41 weeks (early, mid or late) improve birth outcomes in low-risk pregnancy? A nationwide propensity score-matched study.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess whether induction of labor at 41 weeks of gestation improved perinatal outcomes in a low-risk pregnancy compared with expectant management.

Material And Methods: Registry-based national cohort study in The Netherlands. The study population comprised 239 971 low-risk singleton pregnancies from 2010 to 2019, with birth occurring from 41+0 to 42+0 weeks.

Decreasing trend in preterm birth and perinatal mortality, do disparities also decline?

Background: In the Netherlands, several initiatives started after the publication of the PERISTAT findings that showed the perinatal mortality risk was higher than in other European countries. The objective of this study is 1) to report recent trends in perinatal mortality and in intermediate risk groups (preterm birth, congenital anomalies and small for gestational age (SGA)), 2) describing perinatal mortality risk among children born preterm, with congenital anomalies or SGA, and born in maternal high risk groups (parity, age, ethnicity and socio-economic status (SES)).

Methods: A nationwide cohort study in the Netherlands among 996,423 singleton births in 2010-2015 with a gestational age between 24.

Intrapartum epidural analgesia and low Apgar score among singleton infants born at term: A propensity score matched study.

Introduction: The associations of epidural analgesia and low Apgar score found in the Swedish Registry might be a result of confounding by indication. The objective of this study was to assess the possible effect of intrapartum epidural analgesia on low Apgar score and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission in term born singletons with propensity score matching.

Material And Methods: This was a propensity score matched study (n = 257 872) conducted in a national cohort of 715 449 term live born singletons without congenital anomalies in the Netherlands.

Intrapartum and neonatal mortality in low-risk term women in midwife-led care and obstetrician-led care at the onset of labor: A national matched cohort study.

Introduction: Midwife-led models of care have been the subject of debate for many years. We conducted a study to compare intrapartum and neonatal mortality rates in midwife-led (primary) vs obstetrician-led (secondary) care at the onset of labor in low-risk term women.

Material And Methods: We performed an unmatched and a propensity score matched cohort study using data from the national perinatal audit registry (PAN) and from the national perinatal registry (PERINED) of the Netherlands.

Small for gestational age and perinatal mortality at term: An audit in a Dutch national cohort study.

Objective: To assess the underlying risk factors for perinatal mortality in term born small for gestational age infants.

Study Design: We performed a population based nationwide cohort study in the Netherlands of 465,532 term born infants from January 2010 to January 2013. Logistic regression analyses were performed.

Antenatal prediction of neonatal mortality in very premature infants.

Objective: To develop a prognostic model for antenatal prediction of neonatal mortality in infants threatening to be born very preterm (<32 weeks).

Study Design: Nationwide cohort study in The Netherlands between 1999 and 2007. We studied 8500 singletons born between 25(+0) and 31(+6) weeks of gestation where fetus was alive at birth without congenital anomalies.

Term perinatal mortality audit in the Netherlands 2010-2012: a population-based cohort study.

Objective: To assess the implementation and first results of a term perinatal internal audit by a standardised method.

Design: Population-based cohort study.

Setting: All 90 Dutch hospitals with obstetric/paediatric departments linked to community practices of midwives, general practitioners in their attachment areas, organised in perinatal cooperation groups (PCG).

Ethnic disparities in perinatal mortality at 40 and 41 weeks of gestation.

Objective: To evaluate whether maternal ethnicity affects perinatal mortality by week of gestation from 39 weeks onwards.

Study Design: In this cohort study, we used data from the nationwide Netherlands Perinatal Registry from 1999 until 2008. All singleton infants born between 39+0 and 42+6 weeks of gestation without congenital anomalies were included.

[Differences in perinatal mortality between districts of Amsterdam].

Objective: To study the effect of district on perinatal mortality in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, taking into account various risk factors including ethnicity and social economic status (SES).

Design: Cohort study.

Method: The investigation related to 73,661 singleton births in Amsterdam, Diemen and Ouder-Amstel recorded in the Netherlands Perinatal Registry over the years 2000-2006.

[Differences between Dutch provinces in perinatal mortality and travel time to hospital].

Objective: To investigate differences in perinatal mortality between Dutch provinces and to determine the significance of risk factors including travel time from home to the hospital during labour.

Design: Cohort study.

Method: The study was based on 1,242,725 singleton births in 2000-2006 as recorded in the Netherlands Perinatal Registry.

National perinatal audit, a feasible initiative for the Netherlands!? A validation study.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of a national perinatal audit organization.

Design: Validation study.

Setting: Three regions in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Perinatal Audit Project: a feasibility study for nationwide perinatal audit in the Netherlands.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of nationwide perinatal mortality audits in the Netherlands.

Study Design: Over a one-year period, data for all cases of perinatal mortality were collected. Six perinatal audit panels of professionals within perinatal care investigated and classified causes of death and identified the presence of substandard care factors (SSF).

Regional perinatal mortality differences in the Netherlands; care is the question.

Background: Perinatal mortality is an important indicator of health. European comparisons of perinatal mortality show an unfavourable position for the Netherlands. Our objective was to study regional variation in perinatal mortality within the Netherlands and to identify possible explanatory factors for the found differences.

Dutch women's decision-making in pregnancy and labour as seen through the eyes of their midwives.

Objective: a national study of midwives' perceptions of women's decision-making in the technical interventions in the birth process.

Design: questionnaire survey of women and their midwives. Midwives completed a maternity record for each woman in the study after the birth, and the women completed a demographic questionnaire at to 20-24 weeks gestation.

Bad experience, good birthing: Dutch low-risk pregnant women with a history of sexual abuse.

Objective: The long-term effects on women in childbirth with a history of sexual abuse have only been studied to a limited degree. We estimated the prevalence of lifetime experience among low-risk pregnant women (non-clinical) in The Netherlands as well as the association with (1) psycho-social outcomes, and (2) the birth process.

Methods: Study of 625 randomly selected low-risk pregnant women.

Effectiveness of detection of intrauterine growth retardation by abdominal palpation as screening test in a low risk population: an observational study.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of abdominal palpation as a screening test for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in a low risk population, under standard practice conditions.

Study Design: Population based observational study of 6318 consecutive low risk singleton pregnancies. The Dutch obstetric system distinguishes low from high risk pregnancies.

Postpartum haemorrhage in nulliparous women: incidence and risk factors in low and high risk women. A Dutch population-based cohort study on standard (> or = 500 ml) and severe (> or = 1000 ml) postpartum haemorrhage.

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors for standard and severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in vaginally delivering nulliparous women, before and after risk stratification.

Study Design: A population-based cohort study in an unselected cohort nulliparous women (N = 3464) in 'The Zaanstreek' district, The Netherlands. Risk stratification is part of routine care, where midwives cover all obstetrical care for women with low risk pregnancies.

Does a pregnant woman's intended place of birth influence her attitudes toward and occurrence of obstetric interventions?

Background: A home confinement with midwifery care is still an integral part of Dutch maternity care. It has been argued that the existence of home birth itself influences the course of the birth process positively, which is why obstetric interventions are low in comparison with neighboring countries. This study examined the impact of women's intended place of birth (home or hospital) and the course of pregnancy and labor when attended by midwives.