Management and Obstetric Outcomes of Post-date Pregnancies in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

This study aimed to evaluate the fetomaternal outcomes of post-date pregnancies.

We carried out a cross-sectional study of post-date pregnancies managed at Federal Teaching hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria, from January 2013 to December 2015. Pregnancies delivered at 40 weeks and 10 days or more were included. Data was collected using a structured proforma, including sociodemographic characteristics, gestational age at delivery, and maternal and fetal complications. Data analysed using Epi Info version 7.

The majority of the women (80.7%) had labor induction at the gestational age of 41 weeks and three days. Vaginal delivery and cesarean sections were the mode of delivery in 73.9% and 25.0% of women, respectively. Cesarean sections were mainly for labor dystocia (54.5%). The mean age of the women was 28.0 ± 4.4 yr. 38.6% of women were nulliparous. The main neonatal complication was sepsis (10.2%). Perinatal deaths were reported in 1.1% of neonates. Primary postpartum hemorrhage was reported in 6.8% of women.

Due to the higher prenatal complications and the need for obstetric and gynecological interventions in postpartum pregnancies, early ultrasound and induction of labor are recommended to reduce adverse outcomes.