Role of Nifedipine in Preterm Labour

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of Nifedipine for suppression of preterm labour. Quasi experimental study. The study was conducted at Department of obstetrics and Gynaecology unit II, Civil Hospital Karachi from november, 2004 - October 2005. 65 singleton pregnancies with preterm labour occurring between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation were selected. Patient presenting with Preterm labour, having cervical dilatation <3cm with intact membrane included in the study. Nifedipine was used as a tocolytic agent. Successful tocolysis was achieved in 70% [45 /65] of patients, while in remaining 30% [20/65] tocolysis was not achieved. Nifedipine effectively suppressed uterine contractions and delayed delivery for >48hours, a period which is sufficient for the effect of corticosteroid or inutero transfer

Adolescent mothers and their health related life style practice

To explore health related life style practices of adolescent mothers in order to develop 'culturally sensitive' adolescent programmes. Cross-sectional, descriptive study from Sept. 2005 to Feb. 2006. Outpatient clinic of the Dept. of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Civil Hospital, Karachi. Adolescent mothers who already had outcome of first pregnancy and were pregnant again or visited the clinic for some other problem. All the women included in the study were interviewed using a semi-structured guide. The data thus collected was analyzed. One hundred and twenty women were included in the study. Amongst them 82% had less than high school education, 50% were supported by the biological parents, 98% had no sex education and only 20% had knowledge of contraception. The nutritional behaviour was unsatisfactory; eating of junk food was common. Breast feeding practices were satisfactory. Most of them had some element of depression after delivery, 86% pregnancies were unplanned. About 20% had either 1st or 2nd pregnancy terminated and 10% had some element of social support. Problems of our adolescent mothers are different from those of the developed world. Culturally sensitive programmes should be implemented to solve their problems

Control of postpartum and post abortal haemorrhage with uterine packing

To determine safety and effectiveness of uterine packing to stop hemorrhage in postpartum and post abortal cases. Patients who delivered either vaginally or via Caesarian section who developed primary post partum haemorrhage and post abortal patients developing primary post partum haemorrhage refractory to conventional medical treatment, were included in the study. Packing was done using 8-10 meters sterilized gauze from the fundus to cervix and was left for 12-24 hours or removed earlier in cases of failure to control hemorrhage. Morbidity and effectiveness was assessed. Intractable primary hemorrhage was encountered in 20 patients of whom 2 had bleeding after caesarian section, 14 after vaginal delivery and 4 patients had post abortal haemorrhage. Uterine atony was the commonest cause. Failure of packing to control haemorrhage was seen in 3 cases. It was successful in 17 cases. Whether used early or late in the management of post partum haemorrhage, uterine packing is a safe, quick and effective procedure