Published Paper Details:

Background: Awareness of alarming signs among pregnant women is the first essential step in accepting appropriate and timely referral. Also, it is important in improving maternal and fetal health outcomes. Aim: The present study aimed to assess the practice of antenatal women towards identification of alarming signs leading to obstetrical emergencies during pregnancy, labour and puerperium. Methods: A quasi experimental reserach design was utilized at khanam's Hospital and Nursing Home, Hazuri Bagh, Srinagar on 30 pregnant women who had been chosen by convenient sampling technique. A structured interview schedule was used based on the recent reviews of literature. The tool included Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Obstetrical Characteristics, assessment of risk factors related to alarming signs leading to Obstetrical emergencies, Practice assessment towards identification of alarming signs leading to Obstetrical Emergencies. Results: revealed that in Experimental group, 66.7% had present history of obstetric complications, 66.7% had some medical condition presently, 66.7% had family history of medical while as in Control group, 53.3% of the subjects had previous history of obstetric complications, 66.7% had present history of obstetric complications, 66.7% had some medical condition presently, 60% had family history of medical condition. Thus the most commonly reported risk factor related to alarming sign was present history of obstetric complications, present medical condition, family history of medical condition. The findings also reveal that in pre test, majority of the subjects in Experimental Group (60%) and Control Group (66.7%) had inadequate practice. Least found risk factor was nutritional deficiency. In the post test, majority of the subjects in Experimental Group (86.7%) had adequate practice while as in Control Group, majority (60%) of the subjects had inadequate practice. Thus there was no improvement in the post test practice scores of Control group. The mean post test practice score of Experimental group is 82.22% which was much higher than the mean post test practice score of Control group that was only 48.15%. The Chi-square value showed that in Experimental group, there was no significant association between the pre-test practice score and demographic variables However, there was significant association between the pre-test practice score with the Obstetric variable (Gestational age). In the Control group, it was found that there was significant association between the pre-test practice score and demographic variable i.e., Age. Also there was no significant association between the pre-test practice score of Control group with the Obstetric variable. Conclusion: The current study questions were answered where inadequate practice towards identification of alarming signs leading to obstetrical emergencies were reported among pregnant women. According to the actual practices taken by pregnant women to overcome their alarming signs during current pregnancy, taking adequate rest and self-care practices was the most commonly reported actual practice. Recommendations: The study recommended developing antenatal classes programs for all pregnant women about alarming signs and about the actual time to seek emergency medical care. In addition, increase the mass media to disseminate correct and relevant information about alarming signs of pregnancy to pregnant women, families and communities.