Obstetric complications of the first trimester in Western Africa

In West Africa most women presenting with obstetrical complications during the first trimester of pregnancy are referred for consultation with the gynecology-obstetrical services of reference hospitals. Obstetrical complications affecting women in Benin Senegal and Cote d Ivoire during the first trimester of pregnancy were studied. Data on the 345 women included in the study were collected during January-April 1997 from registers maintained by the 8 participating maternity units. 95 women were from Benin 95 from Senegal and 155 from Cote d Ivoire. Study subjects were of mean age 25.9 years having experienced a mean 2.9 pregnancies by the time of the study. The most frequent complications observed were spontaneous abortions complications of induced abortion and ectopic pregnancy observed in 50% 34% and 8% of admissions respectively. Overall the patients appear to have rapidly gained access to care with two thirds of the women undergoing interventions on the day of admission. However despite such service 3 mothers died 2 of which following induced abortion complications.