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Background: Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide, the majority of which occur in low resource settings. Uterine atony is the commonest cause of postpartum haemorrhage. Uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) is an effective method of treating refractory postpartum haemorrhage. Aim: Commercial UBT devices are often not affordable and not readily available in rural settings. The aim of this paper is to report on three cases of postpartum haemorrhage successfully managed with uterine balloon tamponade using Foley catheters. Case Reports: We report on three patients with major obstetric haemorrhage from uterine atony who were successfully managed with uterine balloon tamponade using Foley’s urethral catheter. The first two patients had primary postpartum haemorrhage while the third patient had significant bleeding during the surgical evacuation of the uterus for a molar pregnancy. In each case, uterine bleeding was refractory to pharmacologic uterotonics. They all had uterine tamponade with a Foley catheter with the dramatic resolution of their bleeding. Conclusion: In well-selected patients, uterine balloon tamponade with Foley catheter is cheap, arrests bleeding and prevents clinical deterioration among women with refractory postpartum haemorrhage, especially in low resource settings where commercial balloon tamponade may not be available or affordable.

Background: Globally, the rise in the rate of caesarean section is becoming a public health problem. This study examined the rate, indications and complications of caesarean section at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA). Subjects and Methods: This was a six-year retrospective study covering January 1st 2012 to December 31st 2017. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were identified from the theatre records and their case notes retrieved from the health information unit of the hospital. Information extracted includes sociodemographic data, indications and types of caesarean section performed and the complications. Data was collected using a structured proforma and entered into a secured personal computer. Data analysis was performed by means of Epi Info version 7. Results are presented in tables, means and simple percentages. Results: During this period, a total of 11,215 deliveries were recorded at FETHA, of these, 3908 were delivered by CS giving a caesarean section rate of 34.8%. The mean age of the study subjects was 29.3 ± 5.03 years. Almost half (49.7%) of the patients were in the 20 - 29 age group. Multiparous women made up 36.0% while nulliparous women were 12.6%. The most common indication for an emergency caesarean section was failure to progress in labour with 20.0% contribution and the most common indication for elective caesarean section was previous caesarean section with 13.5%. Majority of the babies were delivered at term (77.0%) with an average gestational age of 38 ± 2.6 weeks. Almost two-thirds of the subjects (62.5%) had emergency caesarean section. The average birthweight was 3.03 ± 0.71 kg. Maternal anaemia was the most common complication recorded 38.0%. There was direct maternal death in 2.0% of the study population. Severe birth asphyxia was recorded in 12.3% of the babies while there was 3.2% perinatal death. Conclusion: There is a high rate of caesarean section from this study. The World Health Organization has stated that there is no additional maternal or fetal benefit with caesarean section rate of greater than 10% - 15%. Stakeholders and policy makers need to do more to mitigate this rising trend.

Background: Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is caused mainly by benign disorders; however it is sometimes caused by endometrial cancer. Aim: We here attempted to determine what conditions account for PMB in an outpatient clinic of a University hospital in London. Methodology: Study subjects consisted of 179 patients with PMB who were referred to us from July to December 2019. Sociodemographic data including patient’s age, risk factors, diagnosis and management were reviewed. Underlying conditions where determined. Results: Of 179 subjects, the following findings were made: 1) Age 59.63 ± 8.3 (mean and standard deviation). 2) Parity; multiparity, 57.0% (mean ± 1.67). 3) First episode of PMB, 77.1%. 4) The most frequently observed risk factor; obesity 34.6%. 5) The following accounted for PMB (diagnosis in order of incidence rate); genital atrophy 37.4%, submucosal fibroid 28.5%, endometrial polyp 20.7%, endometrial hyperplasia 6.7%, and endometrial cancer 5.6%. All patients were treated appropriately. We did not determine the prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer. Conclusion: Although the incidence of rate among women with PMB has already been reported, its reconfirmation in a single facility is important for making policies in the treatment of PMB.

Introduction: Maternal age is an important determinant of pregnancy outcome and women aged 35 years or more at their first pregnancy are considered high risk pregnancy due to increased risk of feto-maternal morbidity and mortality. Aim: To evaluate the outcome of pregnancy in primigravid women who were aged 35 years and above. Materials and Methods: A five-year retrospective study among elderly primigravidae was conducted. The study assessed 78 booked primigravidae aged 35 years or more who delivered at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2016. Each elderly primigravida was matched with two primigravid women aged 20-25 years who delivered during the same period. Postnatal visit was also assessed. Results: During the study period, there were 11,329 deliveries and 78 of these were elderly primigravidae giving an incidence of 0.69% or 1:145 deliveries. The mean age of the elderly primigravidae was 36.28±1.20 years. The study group had more antepartum complications with anaemia, antepartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancies, diabetes mellitus and preterm labour (p