Relative risk of postpartum maternal morbidity among cesarean‑delivered women: a multisite prospective cohort study in a large district, India
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Abstract
Family doctors manage mild to moderate postpartum morbidities that do not receive attention. The morbidities are higher after cesareans, which are increasing in number. The aim was to calculate the relative risk of various maternal morbidities occurring during 6 months postpartum among cesarean delivered women in Pune District, India. Material and Methods: This was a large multisite study, which included all 11 non teaching government hospitals performing at least five cesarean sections per month, one teaching government hospital, and one private teaching hospital. All eligible cesarean delivered and an equal number of age and parity matched vaginally delivered women were the participants. The obstetricians interrogated women before discharge, after 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months. Results: In this study 3,112 women participated. At any visit and among any group lost to follow up proportion was < 0.05). Vaginally delivered women resumed family activities earlier. Conclusion: Health care workers, including family doctors, during follow up of cesarean delivered women, must assess for pain, induration/discharge at the surgical site, urinary incontinence, and breast engorgement/mastitis.