Introduction: Higher parity pregnancy is common in developing countries and is considered as a high risk factor for maternal and perinatal complications. The objective of the study was to compare the obstetric and neonatal outcomes in higher parity with that of lower parity in our hospital. Retrospective comparative study was done in a tertiary care hospital in Government Medical College Manjeri, Malappuram, Kerala, India from April to June 2017.Data from labour room records was collected from 131 lower parity (P1) pregnant women and 259 higher parity women (P2 and higher) who came and gave birth in the hospital .The obstetric and neonatal outcomes of both groups were compared using appropriate statistical tools. P<0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: A total of 390 women participated in the study. Higher parity women had higher incidence of anaemia, hypertensive disorders, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and more of meconium stained amniotic fluid. Occurrence of Diabetes both gestational and pregestational and incidence of atonic postpartum haemorrhage, however, was paradoxically low.

Conclusion: Higher parity and its associated complications still occur frequently. However, limiting parity might improve both maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Health facility based family planning awareness should be instituted. Adequate antenatal surveillance, optimal intrapartum and postpartum care will further reduce the complications.

Keywords: Higher parity, multiparity, Anaemia, hypertensive disorders

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Dr Anita V

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