a decreasing trendp<0.001
Although there was a decreasing trend (p<0.001) over the years in the mean LoS (5.0 ± 1.7 days in 2005 vs. 4.4 ± 1.7 days in 2015) and in the percentage of LoS > ED (58.2% in 2005 vs. 27.9% in 2015), the variability among the 12 maternity centres was considerable.