Avoidable mortality and morbidity remains a formidable challenge in many developing countries like Tanzania. Birth preparedness and complication readiness by mothers are critical in reducing morbidities and mortalities due to these complications. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and practices with respect to birth preparedness and complication readiness among women in Mpwapwa distr...

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect that a training intervention for traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in Guatemala had on the detection of obstetric complications, the referral of patients with complications to the formal health care system, and, ultimately, those patients' utilization of essential obstetric care services. METHODS Using a quasi-experimental design, a surveillance system of birt...

BACKGROUND Pregnant women with heart disease (HD) are at increased risk for cardiac (CV) complications. However, the frequency of neonatal (NE) complications in pregnant women with HD relative to pregnant women without HD has not been examined. METHODS AND RESULTS Pregnant women with HD were prospectively monitored during 302 pregnancies. The frequency of NE and CV complications was compared ...

OBJECTIVE To estimate the proportion of interfacility transfers (IFTs) transported by '108' ambulances and to compare the characteristics of the IFTs and non-IFTs to understand the pattern of use of '108' services for pregnant women in India. DESIGN A cross-sectional analysis of '108' ambulance records from five states for the period April 2013 to March 2014. Data were obtained from the call ...

Caesarean section is the most frequent abdominal operation carried out in obstetric practice. Parturients undergoing this operation are still exposed to a substantial rate of short- and long-term complications. The incidence of re-laparotomy after caesarean section is 0.12-0.70%. The most common indication for re-laparotomy is intra-abdominal bleeding, uterine atony, eventration, haematoma in t...