A Study of Obstetric Emergencies and Its Foeto-Maternal Outcome in a Tertiary Care Centre

Objectives: To identify obstetric cases as emergencies needing critical care. To study the effect of these obstetric emergencies on the mother and foetus. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MGM Medical College and Hospital, Kalamboli.473 obstetric emergencies were admitted and treated during the study period from June 2016 to June 2018. It is a clinical study of maternal and perinatal outcome irrespective of gestational period, parity and medical complications. The outcomes noted were the type of emergency, obstetric intervention done, maternal/foetal mortality and morbidity. Results: A total of 6550 deliveries were conducted during the study period. A total of 473 (7.2 %) obstetric emergencies occurred. The most common obstetric emergencies were, severe preeclampsia (26.85 %), eclampsia (17.34 %) and obstetric hemorrhage (16.28 %). The obstetric interventions done were cesarean section (24.10 %), exploratory laparotomy (6.13 %). Obstetric emergencies were responsible for 4.86 % of total maternal death and 13.96 % of total perinatal death. Conclusion: Obstetric emergencies have a profound effect on mother and fetus resulting in high maternal/perinatal morbidity and mortality. The management of one affects the management of the other. Peripartum haemorrhage and hypertensive emergencies are two of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide.