A Descriptive Study to Assess Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Antenatal Primigravida Mothers in a Selected Hospital of Guwahati, Assam

Background: Maternal mortality and morbidity poses a huge public health burden. It is difficult to envisage which women will experience obstetric complications that may lead to maternal mortality and morbidity. Objective of the study: To identify birth preparedness and complication readiness among antenatal primigravida mothers. Material and methods: The study adopted a descriptive research design, 120 samples were recruited using convenient sampling technique. Self structured questionnaire for assessing birth preparedness and complication readiness were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analysis the data. Result: The study revealed that the birth preparedness among antenatal primigravida mothers, half of antenatal primigravida mothers 60(50%) were well prepared and 60(50%) were not well prepared with mean score and SD was 4.61?1.646. Complication readiness or awareness of danger signs during pregnancy, labour and postpartum period among antenatal primigravida mothers, majority 80(66.7%) were moderately aware of complications, 24(20%) were less aware of complications and 16(13.3%) were more aware of complications with and mean score and SD was 6.13?1.969. There is no any significant association between birth preparedness and complication readiness with socio demographic variables and clinical variables. Conclusion: The study clearly suggests that half of the antenatal primigravida mothers were well prepared for birth preparedness and majority of the antenatal primigravida mothers moderately aware of danger signs. Education and counseling related to knowledge on birth preparedness and complication readiness needs due attention.