ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The birth of a newborn is often celebrated with delight and excitement around the world. However, maternal mortality remains a great concern, and the majority of these deaths could have been prevented. This study aims to assess the awareness of obstetric and delivery complications among pregnant women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Riyadh. The participants were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire that included sociodemographic and obstetric data, as well as 16 questions to measure awareness of danger signs during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period, and knowledge of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR). RESULTS: Among the 385 pregnant women, only 45.5% were aware of associated complications during pregnancy, 18.4% during labor, and 30.6% during the postpartum period. Although 82% of the women had heard about BPCR previously, only 53% took action toward it. Certain factors, such as age, level of education, having a medical condition, and the number of antenatal care clinic visits, were associated with an increased level of awareness. CONCLUSION: The study highlights a lack of awareness regarding obstetric and delivery complications among Saudi pregnant women. Therefore, dedicated education by a healthcare provider during prenatal visits is recommended to increase knowledge and avoid future obstetric complications.
