Maternal characteristics of deliveries before arrival to hospital in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

This is a case control retrospective study [unpaired design] carried out at Prince Abdulla Hospital in Bisha, Saudi Arabia on all 1800 newborn deliveries between January to December 1992. During this period 43 [2.4%] babies were born before arrival to hospital. This is 5 times the figures quoted for some western countries. Most of the deliveries occurred at night. There was no age or parity difference between the women who delivered before arrival and the control group. The conditions associated with high mortality among these women include retained placenta, shock, postpartum haemorrhage and acute inversion of the uterus. In conclusion, birth before arrival at hospital remains a significant problem in Bisha region of Saudi Arabia