Still no clarity on parity: A survey accessing interpretation of the
word parity amongst obstetricians and midwives and a literature review.
Abstract
Objectives: We assessed clinical interpretation of the word parity
amongst obstetricians and midwives in Wales and performed a literature
review to identify a standardised definition. Design: A survey was
conducted by electronic questionnaire followed by a literature review
using dictionaries, standard texts, professional bodies and websites.
Setting: Obstetricians across Wales and midwives across North Wales.
References were obtained for the UK, USA, India, Malaysia and West
Indies. Methods: The questionnaire was distributed to obstetricians
using the Wales Information System. Midwives were surveyed using a
health board wide distribution list. Results: There were 143 responses
from 63 doctors and 80 midwives. 5% of doctors and 49% of midwives did
not include stillbirths after 24 completed weeks in their definition of
parity. 84% of all surveyed described having a previous twin delivery
as Para 2. 23 references were obtained for a definition of parity.
Parity was variability defined as the number of conceptions,
pregnancies, births, and babies. Only 12 sources offered a definition in
reference to multiple pregnancy. Of these, 8 sources defined multiple
births as a single parous event. Conclusions: There are variations in
definitions for the term parity from referenced sources and variation in
understanding amongst staff surveyed. We recommend UK professional
bodies take into consideration the findings of this study and provide a
standard consensus definition of parity.