Risk factors of preterm labour and the use of progesterone in prevention of preterm birth

To find out the risk factors of preterm labour and to study the use of progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth. An interventional study was conducted for a period of one year on patients admitted with threatened preterm labour. The outcome measures included preterm birth at less than 37 completed weeks of gestation, fetal and neonatal outcome. The patients were started on two injections of250 mg hydroxyprogesterone daily for the first 3 days. They were discharged on two injections [250 mg each] at three days interval for 2 weeks and were invited for a follow-up visit in antenatal clinics. Out of 4670 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy, 567 [12.14%]presented with confirmed preterm labour. Risk factors for spontaneous preterm labour included maternal age less than 25 years [n=367, 64.67%],history of preterm birth [n=236, 41.62%], uterine anomalies [n=23, 4.06%] and cervical anomalies [n=4, 0.71%]. Injectable Progesterone was associated with arrest of early labour pains and prolongation of pregnancy. Neonatal outcome including respiratory distress syndrome [n=23, 4.06%], necrotizing enter colitis [n=4, 0.71%] and admission to neonatal Intensive Care Unit [n=6, 1.06%]were noted. Due to beneficial effects of Injectable progesterone, the pregnancy was observed to be prolonged by 4 or more than 4 weeks [n=405, 71.43%]. Preterm birth can be prevented if risk factors of preterm labour are fully assessed and managed properly. Progesterone is associated with beneficial effects in prolonging pregnancy and preventing preterm delivery

Abdominal pregnancy a case report

Abdominal pregnancy in the third trimester is rare; the subsequent delivery of a viable full term fetus is exceptional. In a world with advances in imaging technology the early detection of an abdominal pregnancy should be a feasible objective .A case report of advanced abdominal pregnancy ending up in an alive male baby is presented