FREQUENCY OF MATERNAL AND NEONATAL COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SECOND STAGE CAESAREAN SECTION IN CIVIL HOSPITAL KARACHI, PAKISTAN.

Normal vaginal delivery is not replaced by caesarean section over the period of last century in spite of being safer in terms of maternal and neonatal morbidity, mortality and even cost. The trend of caesarean section increasing day by day, which is being a huge concern in many parts of the world. Objectives: To assess the frequency of maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with second stage caesarean section. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Study Setting: Gynecology and Obstetrics unit 3, Civil Hospital Karachi. Period: June to November 2015. Material & Methods: A total of 123 pregnant women undergoing second stage caesarean section were included in this study. Data regarding demographic characteristics and complications during caesarean section were identified and noted. Neonatal outcome records were also collected on predesign pro-forma. Results: Primary postpartum hemorrhage was 14.6% cases; extension of a transverse uterine incision 7.3% and need of blood transfusions 17.1% cases as well as 30.1% of the women had a hospital stay of three to five days. There were 86.2% alive babies, 7.3% still births and 13% early neonatal deaths. 13% neonates required admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion: Overall, maternal and neonatal morbidities during second stage caesarean sections were not very high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]