Utilization of antenatal care and its influence on fetal-maternal outcome: a tertiary care experience

Background: To compare the sociodemographical characteristics, obstetrical complications, and fetal-maternal outcomes in booked and unbooked mothers. Methods: In a prospective study over an 18 month period, outcomes of pregnancy booked for antenatal care were compared with that of unbooked women, who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NEIGRIHMS. Results: 802 patients were recruited to study. 479 (59.73%) were unbooked and 323 cases (40.27%) were booked. Compared with booked mothers, majority of unbooked mothers belonged to lower social class, came from remote areas and had a significant higher incidence of teenage pregnancy and Grand multiparity. Unbooked mothers had higher incidence of anemia (p< 0.0001), pregnancy induced hypertension (p= 0.033), post dated pregnancy (p