A Survey of Postpartum Morbidity in Ramathibodi Hospital

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate postpartum morbidity in Ramathibodi Hospital during October and November 1995.

Methods Obstetric parameters of each puerperal woman during the study period were recorded on a survey form by the postpartum ward superintendent. Data were analysed statistically using Scientific Packages for Statistical Analysis.

Results Eighty-eight percent of the puerperal women during the period of study were between 20-35 years old. Almost 60% of all puerperal women were nulliparous, the mean antenatal visits was 6.3 with a stardard deviation of 1.7. The mean gestational age was 38.6 weeks with a standard deviation of 1.7 weeks. Almost 70% of puerperal women delivered normally and there was a caesarean section rate of nearly 20%. There was an incidence of postpartum morbidity of 4.9%, most of which were related to the reproductive and urinary system. There was a 1.7% incidence of immediate postpartum haemorrhage.

Conclusion There was still postpartum morbidity of almost 5% of puerperal women at Ramathibodi Hospital during the study period and most of them were related to genitourinary system.