“a Study of Antepartum Hemorrhage: Maternal and Perinatal Outcome”

OBJECTIVE: To determine the maternal and perinatal complications in patients presented with antepartum hemorrhage (APH) at a tertiary care hospital so that a preventive strategy can be made to optimize fetomaternal outcome. METHODOLOGY: This prospective descriptive study was conducted from September 2007 to august 2008 at Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics unit II, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 195 diagnosed cases of antepartum hemorrhage were included in the study after obtaining informed consent. RESULTS: The incidence of APH was 5.4%. maternal and perinatal morbidity was very high with increased rates of caeserian section ( 57.1% ), postpartum hemorrhage ( 19%), need of blood transfusion ( 77.4% ), shock ( 6.66% ), peripartum hysterectomy ( 1%), preterm delivery ( 79.16% ) and maternal and perinatal mortality ( 3% and 49.7% respectively ). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that APH does stand out as a serious condition with manifestation of significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. These complications can be reduced by provision of antenatal care to every woman at their doorsteps and provision of family planning services to reduce family size hence complications.