Maternal outcome in persistent occiput posterior position during second stage of labor at term; A descriptive study

Background: occiput posterior position of the fetal head is often encountered,in term pregnant females,during labor. occiput posterior position can be challenging for obstetricians as it poses dangers to both mother and the fetus. aim: to assess maternal outcome in patients with occiput posterior position of fetal head methods: we conducted this study at central park medical college lahore from april 2014 to september 2015. 118 term,laboring females with occiput posterior position of fetal head were enrolled in the study. age,parity and gestational age were noted. progress of labor and mode of delivery were decided as per standard protocols. maternal outcome i.e. mode of delivery and peripartum complications (prolonged labor,excessive blood loss and perineal lacerations) were noted. results: our study showed high incidence of assisted/operative deliveries in patients with occiput posterior position at term (63.4%,p< 0.001) as compared to spontaneous vaginal deliveries. prolonged labor was often encountered in such patients (57.6%). 16.1% patients had excessive blood loss and another 16.1 % developed perineal lacerations. conclusion: occiput posterior position of fetal head can be challenging to manage,for obstetricians. there is a need to extend expertise for the use of instruments like forceps and vacuum to deliver such patients so that peripartum complications may be avoided.