Feto-maternal outcome in pregnancy beyond 40 weeks

Background: Fetal, Neonatal and Maternal complications associated with pregnancy beyond 40 weeks have always been underestimated. However emerging evidence demonstrates that the incidence of complications increases after 40 weeks of gestation. The present study conducted to find out the fetomaternal outcome of such prolonged pregnancy.Methods: A prospective cross sectional study of 84 patients with uncomplicated prolonged pregnancy fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria and admitted in department of obstetrics and gynecology at a tertiary care hospital. The aim of the study was to know fetomaternal outcome in pregnancy beyond 40 weeks in consideration of spontaneous and induced labour.Results: Out of 84 patients, 58 (69.05%) were in the age group of 20-30 years, 44 (52.38%) were between 41-42 weeks of gestation according to their LMP and 38(45.24%) were between 40-41 weeks of gestation. In 27 (32.14%) patients mode of delivery was caesarean section, in whom most common indication being fetal distress in 48.15% followed by failure to progress in 22.22%. In present study perinatal morbidity like IUFD, neonatal asphyxia, MAS, RDS were 4.76%, 9.52%, 7.14% and 3.57% respectively. Maternal morbidity like prolonged labor, PPH, fever, wound infection were 10.71%, 5.95%, 3.57% and 3.57% respectively.Conclusions: With Regular antenatal check-up, incidence of postdate pregnancy can be decreased and it is important because of definite risk to fetus as pregnancy continuing beyond 40 weeks of gestation is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality especially those who do not come for regular antenatal check-up. Confirmation of diagnosis of exact term of pregnancy is very important as many patients don’t have regular menstrual history and LMP. Diagnosis can be confirmed by first trimester ultrasound which is most important non-invasive method and readily available