Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2020)

Introduction: Post-dated pregnancy is defined as one which has crossed expected date of delivery (i.e Pregnancy beyond 40 weeks). Studies have found incidence of postdated pregnancy between 4-14%. Post-dated pregnancy carries specific hazards to both mother and fetus. While mothers are faced with problems like increased incidences of induced labour, instrumental delivery and LSCS with associated morbidities, fetuses are faced with morbidities like meconium aspiration syndrome, asphyxia. Aims and objectives: The study was to find out the incidence of maternal complications, perinatal mortality and morbidity in postdated pregnancies Materials and Methods: This cross sectional observational study of feto-maternal outcome in post-dated pregnancy (Women beyond 40 weeks of gestation) was carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology in Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam, from January 2019 to December 2019, after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria Results: There is high fetal and maternal risk associated with postdated pregnancy. Incidence of operative deliveries is 65% in the study group. Postpartum haemorrhage is the most common maternal complication in the study group. In perinatal mortality meconium aspiration syndrome is most common followed by asphyxia. Conclusion: Maternal morbidity increased in the form of LSCS, postpartum hemorrhage, perineal tear, as the gestational age increased beyond 40 weeks. The study also showed that there was significant increase in perinatal morbidity and perinatal mortality in the form of meconium aspiration syndrome, birth asphyxia and jaundice as the gestational age went beyond 40 weeks. Maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality can be reduced by electively inducing pregnant women at 40+0 weeks as allowing them to continue beyond this gestational age has shown adverse feto-maternal outcomes.