Obstetric complications: Primiparity Vs. Multiparity

The study aimed to compare obstetrical complications in two parity groups, primiparity and multiparity and further determine the association of parity status with neonatal outcomes. A Retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar (Punjab, India). One hundred patients delivered in the department (booked and unbooked) during April, 2012 to June, 2012 were included in the study. A questionnaire was predesigned to meet the requirements of the study. It included history & examination, investigation, source & reasons for referral, mode of delivery, maternal outcome, neonatal outcome in the form of gestational age & birth weight, obstetrical complications and their management. Subjects were classified as primiparous (52) and multiparous (48). The prevalence of various obstetrical complications like; pregnancy induced hypertension, intrauterine growth retardation, preterm labour, fetal distress, oligohydraminos, type of delivery and fetal weight was assessed in these two parity groups. Majority of unbooked patients belonged to primiparity (67.30%) and booked patients to multiparity (52.08%) group. Compared to multiparity, primiparity had a higher tendency to have Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (15.38%), Intrauterine Growth Retardation (19.23%), Preterm Labour (09.61%), Fetal Distress (19.23%) and Oligohydraminos (17.30%). The rate of Emergency Cesarean Section (65.51%) was higher in primiparity as compared to multiparity (41.66%). The number of Low Birth Weight babies was also higher in primiparity (55.76%) when compared to multiparity (35.41%), although the differences were statistically significant in case of Booking status, Intrauterine Growth Retardation and Low Birth Weight babies (p<0.05). The rate of obstetric complications was higher in primiparous as compared to multiparous mothers. So, primiparous are considered as high risk patients. Comprehensive antenatal care should be provided in this group of patients to have better maternal & fetal outcomes.