Score predicting imminent delivery in pregnant women calling the emergency medical service

Abstract

Objective 

To develop a telephone score predicting imminent delivery.

Methods 

Prospective multicenter (n=38) study including pregnancies of 33 weeks or more amenorrhea (n=3.499). Values in points were assigned to risk factors (Cox's model) and the score tested on a validation cohort and receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results 

Risk was increased if the caller was panicking or declared delivery to be imminent (+3 points), if the pregnant woman could not be spoken to herself (+3), was aged 26–35 (+3) years, was having frequent contractions (from +4 to +8), had the urge to push (+2 to +6 depending on starting time), had a history of rapid or home delivery (+2), or had not been followed up during pregnancy (+8). Nulliparous women (−7) or those on tocolytic treatment (−3) were less at risk. The score is reproducible and relevant.

Conclusion 

Score predicting imminent delivery scoring during calls is a valid means of assessing risk of delivery.