Objectives. To measure umbilical coiling index (UCI) postnatally and to study the association of normocoiling, hypocoiling and hypercoiling to maternal and perinatal outcome. Method(s). One thousand antenatal women who went into labour were studied and umbilical coiling index calculated at the time of delivery. UCI was determined by dividing the total number of coils by the total umbilical cord length in centimeters. Its association with various maternal and perinatal risk factors were noted. The statistical tests were the Chi-square test and assessed with SPSS version 13.0 software and statistically analyzed. P value of less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results. The mean umbilical coiling index was found to be 0.24 ± 0.09. Hypocoiling (<0.12) was found to be significantly associated with hypertensive disorders, abruptio placentae, preterm labour, oligohydramnios, and fetal heart rate abnormalities. Hypercoiling (>0.36) was found to be associated with diabetes mellitus, polyhydramnios, cesarean delivery, congenital anomalies, and respiratory distress of the newborn. Conclusion. Abnormal umbilical coiling index is associated with several antenatal and perinatal adverse features.

Both groups were comparable for distribution of age and parity and presence of imminent symptoms and eclampsia. There was no significant difference in mean systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures (MAPs) between both the groups at admission. Mean gestational age at delivery was 36 weeks in both the groups. Requirement of additional antihypertensive was significantly higher in women in group B (26.0% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.017). Duration of hospital and postpartum stay and the use of antihypertensive at discharge were similar in both the groups Conclusion: In conclusion, the use of a short course of furosemide along with nifedipine significantly reduces the need of additional antihypertensive in severe preeclamptic women with postpartum hypertension when compared to women who received nifedipine alone.

In pregnancies of 40 weeks or longer there was a risk of fetal distress when the AFV was 8 cm or less by the AFI method or 2 cm or less as measured by MVP. In such cases, intensive intrapartum monitoring should be performed to prevent fetal jeopardy.

In women with severe preeclampsia, maternal ascites is an independent risk factor for adverse maternal outcome.

Meconium staining of the amniotic fluid is a common complication during labour. When facilities like electronic monitoring, foetal blood sampling are not available, it is difficult to decide whether labour should be allowed to continue or caesarean section should be done. Even when caesarean section is done, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) can still occur and considerable morbidity and mortality may result in the newborn. Amino infusion is being considered as useful in decreasing MAS and its sequelae. Before resorting to amino infusion, we decided to analyse the perinatal outcome in meconium stained liquor to compare whether early caesarean section offered any advantage. This is a retrospective study of 150 labours complicated by thick meconium stained liquor, during a 12 month period (1992-93).

To avoid a repeat cesarean delivery, ECV can be offered to women with breech presentation and previous cesarean delivery who are otherwise eligible for a trial of labor.

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