Obstetric characteristics of primiparous women at the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Târgu Mureş

For primiparous women, first childbirth represents not only a physiological process but also a profound life transition, during which the first experiences of motherhood are intertwined with responsibility, joy, and the anticipation of a new beginning. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the characteristics of first childbirth over the past two decades. In this retrospective study, we statistically analysed data related to primiparous women who delivered in 2003 and 2023 at the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Târgu Mureş. Data from 1,048 deliveries in 2003 and 651 deliveries in 2023 were analysed, all involving primiparous women. Our findings revealed a substantial decline in the number of births between 2003 and 2023. Although the overall rate of preterm births decreased over the two decades, the proportion of preterm deliveries among primiparous women increased significantly. In addition, maternal age at first childbirth increased over time. The caesarean section rate rose markedly, from 9.25% in 2003 to 27.75% in 2023. The mean birth weight of new-borns increased from 3,344.85 g to 3,546.47 g. The frequency of episiotomies performed in term primiparous women decreased from 92.6% to 82.5%. An increase was also observed in the prevalence of preeclampsia (from 1.24% to 2.61%) and diabetes during pregnancy (from 0.19% to 1.22%) among primiparous women. The number of births decreased significantly over the study period, reflecting a broader demographic trend. The overall rate of preterm births declined, which may be attributable to improvements in medical care, including advances in prevention, treatment, and the use of more effective tocolytic therapies. Maternal age at first delivery and the prevalence of associated pathologies, such as preeclampsia and diabetes, increased among primiparous women. A substantial rise in the caesarean section rate at first birth was also observed, which may have important obstetric, demographic, and social implications in the future.