Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Uncomplicated Postdated Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: A pregnancy that lasts beyond the expected date of delivery is called as postdates pregnancy. Postdates pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of fetal, neonatal mortality and morbidity as well as an increased maternal morbidity.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 196 uncomplicated postdates pregnancies in two tertiary care centers i.e. Manipal Teaching Hospital and Gandaki Medical College, Pokhara, Nepal. The aim of the study was to assess the maternal and fetal outcomes in uncomplicated postdates pregnancy. The data was collected by using structured interview schedule and entered in MS excel with validated command and analyzed with SPSS version 16.

Results: In the study, out of 196 postdates pregnancies, 30.6 % of the mothers had undergone caeserean section 3.06 had an instrumental delivery and 1.5% had traumatic delivery. Further 5.61 % of the mothers had postpartum hemorrhage. A total 3.8 % of the neonates were admitted to the NICU and 1.5 % of the neonates were resuscitated.

Conclusion: The study concluded that postdates pregnancy was associated with perinatal complications like postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), an increase in incidence of caesarean section and admission of neonates to NICU. Careful advice and monitoring can alleviate maternal and fetal untoward complications.