OBSTETRIC OUTCOMES

SUBSEQUENT TO STILLBIRTH IN THE FIRST PREGNANCY

Abstract

Objectives: To compare obstetric outcomes in the pregnancy subsequent to still birth with that following live birth in first pregnancy. Data Source: Medline data base. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital Lahore. Materials & Methods: The study included women who delivered a stillbirth between 2005 - 2007(exposed cohort). A group of women with live birth (unexposed cohort) was matched for delivery within the same year, maternal age (+/- 3 years), parity (+/- 1). In 2009, the charts of these women were examined for subsequent pregnancies. Main outcome measures Maternal and neonatal outcomes in the second pregnancy, pre eclampsia, placental abruption, labour induction, instrumental delivery, caesarean delivery, malpresentation, prematurity, low birthweight and stillbirth. Results: The exposed cohort group B (n =50) was at increased risk of preeclampsia (44% versus 28%, p value = 0.001<0.05) and placental abruption (20% versus 2%) and malpresentation (18% versus 4%). labour induction (20% versus 8%) instrumental delivery (16%versus 8%) and emergency caesarean (40%versus 16%); and prematurity (62%versus 26%, p value = 0.001<0.05), low birthweight (86% versus 54%, p value = 0.000<0.05) and stillbirths (6% versus 2%, p value = 0.489>0.05) of the infant as compared with the unexposed cohort group A (n =50). Conclusions: Majority of women with a previous stillbirth have a live birth in the subsequent pregnancy, they are a highrisk group with an increased incidence of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.