Background: Entanglement of the umbilical cord around the foetal neck (nuchal cord) is a common finding at delivery, but its clinical relevance is not entirely clear. Nuchal cords have generally been considered to be rather benign. However, the insufficiency in data regarding the role of nuchal cord in foetal morbidity and mortality is a source of anxiety and frustration to both parturient and healthcare professionals. Considering the above facts the present study was taken up to establish the incidence of nuchal cord at delivery in the existing setup.Methods: This was a cross sectional comparative study conducted over a period of one year from May 2013 to April 2014. A total of 362 women were selected for the study. These women were briefed about the nature of the study and a written informed consent was obtained. The demographic data and obstetrical history were documented on predesigned proforma. The data obtained was analysed using percentages and comparison done using chi-square test for discrete variables.Results: Incidence of Nuchal Cord was 17.7% among study cases. Based on this study gestational age may have an effect on the presence of nuchal cord (p<0.05). Out of 64 cases with nuchal cord’, 11.4% of cases had meconium stained liquor present. 9.8% of cases with nuchal cord had FHR irregularity, which was significantly less as compared to 20.0% of cases who did not show FHR irregularity. This was statistically significant. (p=0.032). 18.7% of mother who showed presence of nuchal cord had delivery by caesarean section. 22.7% of cases with nuchal cord had NICU admissions, which was insignificantly more as compared to 17.0% of cases who did not have NICU admissions.Conclusions: Intrapartum events such as meconium staining of liquor and foetal heart rate irregularities were more commonly associated with nuchal cord but it did not affect the perinatal outcome. However, the mode of delivery was independent of the presence of nuchal cord, thereby reducing the morbidity to the mother. Hence nuchal cord is not associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and the presence of a nuchal cord per se is not found to be an indication of operative delivery.

Background: Meconium stained amniotic fluid occurs in 9 to 20% of deliveries. It has long been implicated as a factor influencing foetal wellbeing during the intrapartum and postpartum period. Many authors have suggested that the type and the time of passage of meconium are most significant factors affecting foetal outcome. This study was carried out to find out the effect of meconium stained liquor during labour and its perinatal outcome.Methods: This prospective cross sectional and comparative study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital over a period of 1 year. The study group comprised of 118 women having MSAF during labour and the comparative group of 118 women with clear amniotic fluid which were randomly selected. The demographic data, obstetrical history, intrapartum findings and Apgar score were documented on predesigned proforma. Data collected was analysed using student t-test, chi square test, Z test for comparison of proportions and coefficient of variation for comparison of consistency of distributions.Results: Out of 1192 cases studied 118 cases showed presence of meconium stained liquor (9.89%). Caesarean section was performed in 41.52% cases with meconium stained liquor versus 31.35% in clear liquor group. Apgar score at 1 minute was significantly lower in meconium stained liquor (p<0.01). In meconium stained liquor group 42.37% foetuses had normal, 36.44% had suspicious and 21.18% had abnormal heart rate patterns respectively. There was no significant difference in the number of cases requiring NICU admission in meconium stained liquor (14.4%) and clear liquor groups (9.3%) (Z=1.214, P>0.05).Conclusions: Meconium staining is a commonly observed phenomenon. labour complicated with thick meconium stained liquor should ideally be categorised in to high risk obstetrics and managed in tertiary care with consultant obstetrician, consultant neonatologist and NICU in order to improve the perinatal outcome.