Abstract

Oluwasomidoyin Olukemi Bello

High parity is associated with serious consequences to the fetus, mother, family, and the society. This study aimed at determining current situation in adverse fetal and maternal outcomes among grand multiparous women at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. A five year retrospective study of grand multiparous women presented at UCH, Ibadan. Information was extracted from their medical records using a structured proforma. Data were entered and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Of the 11, 699 births during the study period, medical records of 153 grand multiparous (GMP) women were retrieved and analyzed. Mean age was 35.63±3.91 years and prevalence of grand multiparity was 1.4%. Majority, 114 (74.5%) were unbooked. Anemia 72 (47.1%) was the commonest antenatal complication and over half 89 (58.2%) of them had caesarean delivery with majority 69 (77.5%) performed as emergencies. Among their babies, 38 (24.8%) were stillbirth and 24 (15.7%) were admitted into special care baby unit (SCBU). Antepartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, postpartum hemorrhage, caesarean delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight and SCBU admission were maternal and fetal complications associated with the booking status of the study population p<0.05. In conclusion, prevalence of grand multiparity was low and confirms downward trend in Nigeria but almost all the complications were seen more in the unbooked women. Even though there was no maternal mortality, there were fetal mortality indicating GMP women are still liable to the serious complications of pregnancy, which can lead to higher maternal morbidity and fetal morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is need to educate women on these complications and promote family planning with small family size.