SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND CLINICAL OUTCOME OF OBSTRUCTED LABOUR

Background: Obstructed labour is the condition that results from failure of descent of the fetal presenting part in the birth canal for mechanical reasons inspite of good uterine contractions. It remains an important cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Materials and Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted over a period of one and a half years in which 120 cases of obstructed labour were evaluated after applying preselected inclusion and exclusion criteria. Detailed history including that of sociodemographic profile, medical history and obstetric history was taken from every patient. Maternal outcome in the form of mode of delivery and complications was noted. Fetal condition was also evaluated. Results: The study revealed that obstructed labour was common in illiterate women mostly from rural areas (87.5%) of low socioeconomic status (88.4%). Majority were primigravidas (49.2%) with mean age 30.5+3.29 . Most cases were due to cephalopelvic disproportion (62.5%). Majority were delivered by caesarean section(87.5%).The most common complication was abdominal distension(51.7%) followed by postpartum hemorrhage(37.5%).There was no maternal death. There were 108 live births(90%) out of which 8 (7.4%) died in neonatal period. Obstructed labour was a significant cause of low apgar scores at 5 minutes of birth(34.2%). Conclusion: Obstructed labour is still a great contributor of maternal and perinatal mortality in developing world. Sociodemographic and health facility factors were strongly associated with the outcome. Our aim should be universal and inexpensive good obstetric care to avoid it and prompt diagnosis and timely intervention in established cases to improve the outcome.