Obstetric Outcomes of Primigravidae

A primigravida is a woman carrying her first pregnancy(.1)A woman carrying her first pregnancy is starting a new life and it is a crucial time in her obstetric career as subsequent obstetric performance will depend on how well the first pregnancy was managed.(2).Pregnancy in a primigravida is often viewed with anxiety not only by the patient who is going through the experience for the first time but also her relatives and her caregiver. The obstetric outcome of primigravidae is associated with many complications; therefore, they are considered high risk because of both maternal and fetal concerns(.2).Numerous studies have shown that primigravidae are at increased risk of complications during pregnancy, labor, and delivery and if not properly managed, these complications can result in increased morbidity and mortality for both the mother and baby(3) Reported complications include abnormal labor patterns, increased risk of operative deliveries, increased rate of admissions into neonatal intensive care unit and increased perinatal deaths.(4,5,6) The cardinal observation to be made in a gravid uterus at term in labor is engagement of head which is the initial step in the mechanism of labor. The term "engagement" in normal labor denotes that the greatest diameter of fetal head has passed through the brim of the pelvis.(7) Engaged head in a primigravida at term in early labor is a sign of pelvic adequacy.Unengaged head at the onset of labor is associated with increase in duration of labor and incidence of dysfunctional labor pattern.(8,9) Thus, undue prolongation of labor leads to increased risk of caesarean section(10,11) and its associated maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The adequacy of the pelvis, the efficacy of uterine contractions, the capacity of fetal head to mold and the temperamental resilience of the patient contribute more to the outcome of labor. Hence, the dynamics of labor is equally important with mechanics as it improves the adaptation of fetal head To the pelvic cavity and its passage through it supported by primary and secondary forces of labor. Careful monitoring of progress of labor and timely medical intervention in these cases can reduce the incidence of caesarean deliveries. (11)This study will, therefore, assess the obstetric outcome of vaginal delivery of these women at term considering course \& duration of labour \& the incidence of complication with its associated fetomaternal outcomes