OBSTETRIC OUTCOME IN THE UNBOOKED MOTHER

This study aimed at determining the outcome of pregnancy in unbooked m others with regard to maternal complications and foetal outcome. This retrospective study was based on investigations of medical records of 467 unbooked mothers who presented for delivery at the Obstetrics Unit at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, during the period 1991 an d 1992, and 415 booked mothers with regular clinic attendance selected as controls. Data collected from the records included patients' socio -demographic characteristics, past obstetric history, prevalence of pr egnancy-related diseases, and data relating to labour, delivery, and f oetal outcome. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for a ssessing the statistical significance of the association between the v arious factors which were investigated. The tendency for mothers to be booked was found to be significantly associated with their age, occup ation, parity, and gestational age at delivery. Booked and unbooked mo thers did not differ significantly in relation to the mode of delivery and foetal outcome, although the prevalence of previous complications of pregnancy was generally lower among unbooked mothers. There was no statistically significant association between the absence of antenata l care and outcome of pregnancies, unbooked mothers had a higher propo rtion of MICU admissions and dead babies compared with the controls. E ducating the community about the benefits of receiving regular antenat al care, even if at primary care level, may be of great importance in improving the pregnancy outcome.