Pregnancy outcomes and associated characteristics at the expected date of delivery and beyond in a large tertiary hospital in Ghana

Maternal outcome of postdate pregnancies

  • Alexander K O Yeboah Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital
  • Kwaku Asah-Opoku Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital ;Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  • Kwame Adu-Bonsaffoh Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  • Donne K Ameme Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
  • Kareem Mumuni Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  • Joseph Seffah Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  • Kobinah Nkyekyer Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  • Alfred E Yawson 4Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2022.12.3.2.380-386
Keywords: Prolonged pregnancy, expected date of delivery, maternal outcomes

Abstract

Background: Globally, pregnancies that have gone beyond the expected date of delivery (EDD) contribute significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the proportion, pregnancy outcomes, and associated characteristics of deliveries at EDD and beyond at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the KBTH. Postpartum women who delivered at a gestational age of 40 weeks and beyond were selected from the labour wards, grouped according to gestational age, and followed up to their first postnatal visit. Data were collected on demographic, obstetric and postpartum health status. The association between study variables and delivery at and beyond EDD was determined using the F-test statistic and Chi-square test for continuous and categorical outcomes, respectively. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Of the 300 participants, 44% (n = 132) delivered at 40 weeks plus 0 to 6 days (40 + 0 - 6 weeks) of gestation, 44.7% (n = 134) at 41 + 0 - 6 weeks, and 11.3% (n = 34) at ≥ 42 weeks. The proportion of deliveries at EDD and beyond was 9.9% (n = 300/304) of total deliveries during the period. The pregnancies ≥ 42 weeks were 1.1% (n = 34/3041) of total deliveries. Factors that were significant associations with women who delivered at ≥ 42 + 0 weeks were a referral from other hospitals (p < 0.017), labour induction (p < 0.001), a longer first stage of labour (p < 0.008), and a longer total labour duration (p < 0.009).
Conclusion: The proportion of deliveries in which the pregnancies had progressed to the EDD and beyond and that of prolonged pregnancy at the KBTH were 9.9% and 1.1%, respectively. The duration of the first stage of labour and the total duration of labour was longer in women with pregnancies ≥ 42 weeks.

Published
2022-11-24
Issue
Vol 3 No 2 (2022): Health Sciences Investigations Journal 2022 ( Vol3 Issue 2)
Section
Original Research Article