Publication:

Maternal and neonatal outcome in primigravida with mobile head at ≥39 weeks of gestation

Background Primigravida with mobile head at ≥39 weeks of gestation are prone to the probability of caesarean section. With this study we aimed to identify the maternal and neonatal outcome of primigravida with mobile head at ≥39 weeks of gestation under the watchful expectancy and good conduct of labour.

Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among primigravida with mobile head at ≥39 weeks admitted for delivery in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, govt. medical college, Kottayam, Kerala, from February 2021 to September 2021. A sample size of 247 was identified considering 28% proportion of presentation with deflexed head, 95% confidence interval and 2% margin of error. A detailed history, physical examination and ultrasonography was performed.

Results Of the 250 participants, the mean age of the study subjects was 24.97±3.93 and mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.72±4.78 kg/m2. The most common cause for mobile head was a deflexed head (35.2%). A lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) was conducted in 28.8% participants while vacuum assistance ad forceps assistance was required for 9.6% and 4.4% participants respectively. The most common indication for LSCSC being moderate to thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) 23% followed by 1st degree CPD failed trial in 17% cases. A significant association with maternal morbidity was observed in undiagnosed placenta previa (p=0.039) and vacuum-assisted deliveries (p=0.001). We observed that 3.6% of babies have meconium aspiration syndrome, and 8% of new born were admitted in intensive care for foetal distress.

Conclusions Primigravida with mobile head at term during labour requires intense monitoring. Although the duration of labour appeared to be prolonged in a small proportion of patients with watchful expectancy and good conduct of labour and timely intervention, vaginal delivery is possible with minimal maternal and neonatal morbidity.