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To estimate the maternal morbidity and mortality in caesarean section for non-progress of labour, a study was conducted over a period of 16 years at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram among 533 cases of non-progress of labour for which caesarean section was performed. A total of 34975 women delivered including 7309 cases by caesarean section. Sixteen years records divided into 4 blocks, one each of 4 years were analysed. There was no maternal mortality but 8.25% women had intra-operative complication and 42.21% had postoperative morbidity. Timely intervention can save complication of prolonged labour as well as complications for which caesarean section was done for non-progress of labour.

In the present prospective pilot study an attempt has been made to find out the correlation between some maternopaternal factors (demographic, socio-economic and medical) that suggest a high risk for intra-uterine growth retardation. The mean height and booking weight of women in study group were significantly less than the height and weight of women in control group (p < 0.001 for both). The mean paternal height and weight were also significantly less in the study group as against controls (p < 0.05 for and p < 0.01 respectively). In the study group 54.54% of women consumed less than 1500 calories/day as compared to 32.72% in the controls (statistically significant difference, (p < 0.01). The mean haemoglobin was significantly lower in the study cases (8.1 g/dl) as compared to controls (9.6 g/dl) (p < 0.001). The mean platelet count in study cases (1.64 +/- 0.34 lac/cmm) was significantly lower than that in the controls (2.08 +/- 0.25 lac/cmm) (p < 0.001). The rate of instrumental vaginal delivery, emergency caesarean section for foetal distress, incidence of intrapartum foetal distress, and number of babies with low Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were significantly more in the study group (p < .05 and p < 0.001 respectively for operative delivery and Apgar scores).

A study was conducted on 140 pregnant women at and after 28 weeks of pregnancy for finding out the relationship of cervical length and position with onset of preterm labour. Incidence of preterm labour was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in women with central position of cervix (54.67%) than that with posterior position of cervix (10.77%). Onset of preterm delivery was closely related to cervical length of 2.5 cm or less irrespective of central (82.75%) or posterior (20%) position of cervix (p < 0.001).

Every day a new method of termination of second trimester pregnancy clearly indicates that we have still not found a simple, safe, effective and economic method of termination of pregnancy in second trimester. Present study of 855 cases aims at searching out something better from available modalities. Age old hypertonic saline and ethacridine lactate were used with adjuvants like hyaluronidase and a preparation containing isapgol husk to reduce injection abortion interval and failures. Life threatening dangers of hypertonic saline are known. Ethacridine lactate seems to be safe. By giving it intra-amniotically with these adjuvants its major disadvantages could be minimised. There was no mortality. However, there was morbidity in the series.