An Observation of the numerous medical risk factors for obstructed labor

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services should be restructured with a focus on increasing community awareness, decentralization of maternity services, and effective health care planning from grassroots to tertiary levels, as well as the establishment of a streamlined and effective referral system, to reduce this unfortunate and mostly preventable obstetric
complication. The current study was conducted to evaluate the medical reasons for obstructed labor to enhance MCH planning and avoid such situations in the future. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to observe the medical causes and risk factors of obstructed labor. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the department of Obs & Gynae. Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study duration was 1.5 years, from August 2004 to December 2005. A total of 100 patients were selected from the total 6074 delivery cases conducted during the study period, based on exclusion and inclusion criteria. Result: prevalence of obstructed labor was about 4%. 52% were within 20 to 25 years of age, 55% were Primigravida, only 30% were on regular antenatal checkups, and 52% had no antenatal checkup. The medical causes of obstructed labor were cephalopelvic disproportion in 30%, malposition or malpresentation in 69%, and cervical fibroid in 1 % Conclusion: The limited study showed that the prevalence of obstructed labor in our hospital population was 3.59%. Obstructed labor was more common among younger women, and the incidence declined with age. The most common medical cause of obstetric labor was malposition and malpresentation.