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Background: Nutrition during pregnancy plays an important role for an optimum outcome of pregnancy. Maternal undernutrition can lead to poor intrauterine growth and low weight of the baby at birth. Moreover, the leading causes for maternal deaths like hemorrhage and infection are related directly or indirectly to nutrition. The aim of this study was to study the effects of food habits on pregnancy outcome.Methods: 350 women from the antenatal clinic, who satisfied the criteria were admitted to the study.Results: The majority of pregnant women belonged to the age group of 21-25 years (47%) followed by the 26-30 years age group (40%) and 83% belonged to the low socioeconomic class. Majority of the babies (66%) had the birth weight in the range of 2.5-2.9 kg. There was a significant association (p value <0.05) between the socioeconomic status of the mother, parity and her calorie intake. The present study found a statistically significant association between the maternal nutritional status, the birth weight of the baby and the need for NICU admission (p value <0.05).Conclusions: Maternal food habits have significant effects on the pregnancy outcome.

Background: Induction of labour is a very common obstetric procedure worldwide. The ultimate goal of induction of labour is to achieve a successful vaginal delivery. Dinoprostone is a Prostaglandin (PGE2) which acts on the collagen structural network of the cervix and makes it favourable, thus increasing the chances of a successful of a vaginal delivery. This study emphasizes on the importance of having a proper induction protocol in place and at the same time judicious use of the agents for induction of labour. This will help to reduce the maternal anxiety and stress associated with the induction of labour. The present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of dinoprostone vaginal pessary in induction of labour at term.Methods: Twenty patients with unfavorable cervix at term were studied for the effectiveness of Dinoprostone vaginal pessary in induction of labor.Results: Among the twenty patients 17 (85%) delivered vaginally within 18 hrs and 3 (15%) were in the active phase of labour. No untoward event was observed in any of the cases with a favorable neonatal outcome in all the cases.Conclusions: Present study shows that Dinoprostone vaginal pessary is a highly effective method of induction of labor at term in properly selected cases. It reduces consistently the number of internal examinations and thus reducing the risk of ascending infections adding to it's safety along with reduced maternal anxiety associated with induction of labour.

Background: There has been an alarming rise in number of caesarean sections all over the world. Instrumental delivery plays an important role to reduce this trend globally. Forceps delivery though proper training and expertise can definitely reduce the rising caesarean section rates in the modern-day obstetrics. The aim of this study is to study the effectiveness of forceps delivery in modern obstetrics.Methods: In the present observational study, 20 cases of forceps delivery were studied for maternal and foetal outcomes including postpartum hemorrhage, perineal tears, Apgar score, NICU admissions, birth injury, and mortality.Results: The most common indication for forceps application was maternal exhaustion (80%) followed by foetal distress. All the cases of forceps application in the present study were associated uneventful vaginal delivery. No any adverse maternal outcomes including perineal tears, post-partum hemorrhage was observed in this study. Average birth weight in the present study was 3.2 kgs and Apgar scores at birth and five minutes was within normal limits. No any birth injury was noted in any of the newborns.Conclusions: Forceps delivery is a safe and effective option in modern day obstetrics to reduce the alarming rise in rates of caesarean section globally. Training should be encouraged to develop the expertise of this art of forceps delivery.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has affected the daily living globally. It has added to the stress of day to day life. COVID-19 is associated with severe disease in high-risk population groups with increased mortality risk. COVID-19 and it’s impact on pregnancy needs extensive research. Early research data does not suggest any increased risk in the pregnant population and Vertical transmission is yet to be confirmed. As of now no standard protocol is available for management of COVID-19 .Social distancing is the best possible mechanism available to protect patients and health care personnel from COVID-19. The aim of this study is to know the effectiveness of protocol based Antenatal care during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This study was conducted at the Antenatal clinic. A total of 40 antenatal cases who satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected for the above study. They were assessed at the antenatal clinic following a modified protocol.Results: Majority of the pregnant women in the study group were primigravidas and belonged to the age group of 21-25 years. They were called for Antenatal check-ups as per the protocol specifically modified taking into consideration the COVID-19 pandemic. 80% of the deliveries in present study were normal delivery and only in obstetric emergencies LSCS was performed.Conclusions: Antenatal care in COVID-19 pandemic is challenging yet essential. Following a protocol based approach is the key to management of Antenatal care amidst the pandemic. It is cost-effective and has an easy learning curve.