IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS) e-ISSN: 2320–1959.p- ISSN: 2320–1940 Volume 4, Issue 4 Ver. IV (Jul. - Aug. 2015), PP 05-13 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/1959-04440513 www.iosrjournals.org 5 | Page Effect of Interpregnancy Interval on Pregnancy Outcome Among Pregnant Women Attending Delivery At Belqas hospital Seham Fareid Ally Ragab (1) , Azza Ali Abd El Hamid (2) , Manar Fathy Heiba (3) , Omaima Mohamed Elalem (4) (1)Nurse Educator,At Nursing Institute (2) Assistant Professor of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University (3)Lecturer of Maternal, Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University (4) Lecturer of Family and Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University Abstract: Background: Short interpregnancy intervals have an adverse effect on maternal and neonatal outcome. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of interpregnancy interval on maternal health during labor and immediate postpartum period as well as neonatal outcome. Method: a correlation design was adopted. The current study was conducted on 200 woman divided into four groups each group consists of 50 woman. Four tools were used to collect data; Structure Interviewing Schedule, delivery data, Postpartum Assessment Sheets and Neonatal Assessment Sheet. Results: the present studyfindings revealed that, short IPI was a risk factor for preterm labor, premature rupture of membrane, abnormal presentation (breech) (P<0.0001), prolonged and obstructed labor (P=0.0008, & P=0.006) respectively, and postpartum hemorrhage related to atonic uterus (p= 0.018). Short IPI increased the baby risk to develop low birth weight, abnormal length, head and chest circumference, and had low scores in Ballard and Apgar score. Conclusion: short IPI is associated with adverse effects on pregnancy outcome for women and neonate. Recommendation: awareness programs are needed to raise women’s’ level of knowledge regarding the adverse effects of short interpregnancy intervals and identify the appropriate interpregnancy interval. Keywords: Interpregnancy interval, pregnant woman, pregnancy outcome, short interpregnancy interval. I. Introduction Interpregnancy interval period (IPI) is the period between the delivery of live birth and another conception. Short interpregnancy interval is estimated to be from less than 6 to less than 27 months (DaVanzo,Hale, Razzaque, 2008). Pregnancy should be delayed for at least 24 months, but not longer than 59 months. After abortion or miscarriage, pregnancyshould be delayed for at least six months (Ricci, & Kyle, 2009). Short interpregnancy intervals are associated with multiple health and nutrition effects on both mother and child, several studies found that, short and long intervals between pregnancies are associated with an increased risk of several adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm delivery, small for gestational age, maternal anemia and rupture of uterus. However, most of researches in this area has focused on prenatal outcomes while, the effect of birth spacing on maternal health and mortality has received less attention (Conde- Agudelo, Rosas-Bermudez, Castaño, & Norton, 2012). Interpregnancy interval shorter than six months after a live birth may be a leading cause of induced abortion, miscarriage, and still birth, because the uterus needs time to recover after a previous pregnancy. Short interpregnancy intervals have been linked to increase the risk for preterm birth, low birth weight, small gestational age (SGA), dystocia and maternal morbidity and mortality. Early neonatal death, which attributes to most perinatal death, is caused by preterm birth and low birth weight. Stillbirth accounts to be 74.0% of all perinatal deaths (Marge et al., 2010). 1.1. Operational Definition: Interpregnancy interval (IPI) considered very short if the span of time between a live birth and the start of a next pregnancy was less than six months, short if the span of time between a live birth and the start of a next pregnancy was less than one year and moderate if the span of time between a live birth and the start of a next pregnancy was more than or equal to one year, but not exceed two years.