Eshrat Jahan1, Anjuman Ara2, Rafiul Alam3, Faisal Mohammed Pasha4, Iffat Ara Akbar5, Zahidul Alam Khan
Abstract : Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on healthcare systems globally, potentially impacting various aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. The pandemic and associated factors may have affected certain aspects of pregnancy, including postdated pregnancies. It is reasonable to assume that changes in healthcare practices and individual circumstances may have influenced certain aspects of these pregnancies. This study aims to identify the incidence of postdated pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate its feto-maternal outcome. Materials and method: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted from May 2020 to December 2020 among postdated pregnancies admitted to a tertiary care hospital who met the inclusion and exclu sion criteria. Results: Out of 1,567 obstetric cases,158 (10%) were postdated. The majority (43.8%) of them were in the gestational age group of 40- 40+6 weeks. 64.5% of the mothers had a Bishop score between 4 and 6 on admission, and 64.8% had a reactive CTG. The induction rate was 36.0% and 52.7% of the patients had cesarean deliveries. Most maternal outcomes i.e. 79.0% were uneventful. Thirty-one (28.0%) newborns had an Apgar score of less than seven at 1 minute after delivery. 44.6% of newborns required resuscitation, while 18.0% required SCANU support. Conclusion: This study indicates a slightly increased incidence of postdated pregnancy in the study hospital during the pandemic, with similar maternal and neonatal outcomes observed during the pre-pan demic period. The Caesarean section rate was found to be higher among postdated pregnancies and increased incidence of fetal distress requiring proper resuscitation and SCANU support. Keywords: Postdated pregnancy, Feto-maternal outcome, COVID-19
