Study of cases with perinatal mortality

Background: Perinatal loss is one of the most traumatic life events. It is indeed a great psychological and emotional shock to not only the mother and father but the entire family and society as a whole. The perinatal mortality rate (PMR) is an important indicator of the quality of obstetric care during pregnancy. Perinatal deaths result largely from obstetric complications that can be prevented with proper antenatal care and quality neonatal services. The study was aims to study the factors related with perinatal loss and its prevention in future pregnancy.Methods: It was a prospective analytical study. All patients with IUFD, stillbirths and early neonatal loss were studied. Postpartum both mother and father were counselled. Detailed history and thorough physical examination were conducted. Data was recorded and tabulated, observation made and compared with results of various studies.Results: The results showed that the incidence of IUFD was 3.7% and early neonatal death was 10.8% per total admissions. The perinatal mortality rate was 63.62 per 1000 live births. Perinatal mortality rate was inversely related to the number of antenatal visits taken by the patient. Lack of antenatal care results in perinatal deaths probably due to failure of early identification and management of maternal problems that impact negatively on perinatal outcome. Even in advanced economies with sophisticated diagnostic and monitoring equipment, lack of antenatal care categorizes a pregnant woman as a high-risk pregnancy.Conclusions: There is a need for awareness regarding importance of antenatal care and institutional delivery. Perinatal mortality is an important indicator of maternal care, health and nutrition. It also reflects the quality of Obstetric and Pediatric care available. Every effort must be made to reduce perinatal mortality

Study of blood component therapy in obstetrics

Background: Blood transfusion is a life saving measure. Various pregnancy complications and disorders of labor present as risk factors for extra blood loss during pregnancy and cause severe hemodynamic instability. This along with complications due to abortion (spontaneous or induced) and ruptured ectopic pregnancy show up as conditions needing transfusion in the day-to-day practice of obstetrics. In a country like India, limited and fixed resources of blood, forces us to titrate the use of blood and its components. Normally, blood loss during birth is well-tolerated because of changes during pregnancy.Methods: This is a retrospective observational study done at tertiary care hospital. This study is based on study of indoor patients admitted during one year duration. Detailed history and all necessary investigations were carried out. Details regarding blood transfusion were taken indication of blood transfusion, number and type of unit transfused, number of patients given blood components, indications where single unit was transfused. Analysis of the data was done.Results: Anemia followed by antepartum hemorrhage followed by postpartum hemorrhage was the major cause for blood and blood product transfusion. Approximately 60% patients required two units of PCV (Packed Cell Volume) transfusion. Anemia in pregnancy was the major cause of single unit PCV transfusion.Conclusions: A proper knowledge for blood and blood product transfusion is needed to make it available for people who are actually in need and also to decrease the economic burden. Measures to prevent anemia should be implemented. Active management of third stage of labour (AMTSL) should be done to avoid postpartum hemorrhage. Single unit transfusion should be avoided

Care of unfortunate mothers with perinatal loss

Background: Perinatal loss is one of the most traumatic life events. It is indeed a great psychological and emotional shock to not only the mother and father but the entire family and society as a whole. The study aims to take physical and psychological care of mother and father, to help in bereavement process, to know the incidence and prevalence and etiological factors of perinatal loss and to study the outcome of psychological support to mother.Methods: It was a prospective analytical study. All patients with IUFD and early neonatal loss were studied. Postpartum both mother and father were counselled. Emotional reaction of both mother and father were recorded. A new ritual of giving the mother her baby (dead) was done to those who were willing for that.Results: The results showed that the incidence of IUFD was 3.7% and early neonatal death was 10.8% per total admissions. The perinatal mortality rate was 63.62 per 1000 live births. There were varied reactions of grief which could be handled by effective counselling. Seeing and holding the baby was associated with fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms than not doing so.Conclusions: Psychological counselling is very important. The patients are helped to cross over the crisis in their life and made them well prepared for next pregnancy. Counselling and communication skills should be routinely included in all residency programmes. Hospitals should have a separate place for mothers with perinatal loss which would help them to overcome their grief