A Study of Maternal Outcomes in Post Dated Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Post-dated pregnancy may be associated with perinatal complications like fetal distress, meconium
aspiration syndrome and fetal asphyxia. This study was designed to study maternal outcomes in post dated
pregnancy (or beyond 40 weeks gestation).
Materials & Methods: Real time ultrasound scanning was performed using (Philips EPIQ 5G, Philips EPIQ 7G and
Philips affinity 50 G model) 1-5 MHz biconvex probe and general survey of foetus was done. Total 114 pregnant
women beyond 40 weeks of gestation were studied. A detailed clinical history like menstrual history, marital,
family history of the pregnant women included in the study was taken. For induction, cervical ripening agents like
dinoprostone gel or misoprostol tablets were used. Then the patients were observed for uterine contractions and
strict foetal heart rate monitoring was done.
Results: In this study total 114 cases beyond 40 weeks of gestation were analyzed to know the maternal and foetal
outcome in post-dated pregnancies. Majority of the postdated pregnancies 102 (89.5%) were in between 40 weeks
-40 weeks 6 days. Primigravida were 55.3% while only 44.7% were multigravida. Out of total 114 patients having
pregnancies beyond 40 weeks of gestation, 67.6% were delivered vaginally while 32.4% underwent lower segment
caesarean section. Majority (65.8%) of patients had Bishops score <=4, Bishops score > 6 (20.2%), Bisops score in
between 5-6 (14%). Incidence of meconium stained liquor was 6.1%.
Conclusion: Post-dated pregnancy is a high risk pregnancy, so correct dating is done by early first trimester USG
or by second trimester USG so that induction can be done at 40 weeks and timely detection of foetal distress and
management can be safely introduced.