Maternal and obstetric characteristics of stillbirths at a rural tertiary care centre in Chhattisgarh, India: a retrospective descriptive study

Meena Armo; Revati V. Samartha

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20263707

Authors

Meena Armo Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bharat Ratna Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Government Medical College, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India
Revati V. Samartha Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bharat Ratna Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Government Medical College, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20263707

Keywords:

Stillbirth, Rural healthcare, Antenatal care, Maternal risk factors, Intrapartum monitoring

Abstract

Background: A baby who dies after 28 weeks of pregnancy, but before or during birth, is classified as a “stillbirth”. It remains a major yet preventable public health challenge, particularly in rural India where timely access to quality maternal and obstetric care is often limited. This study aimed to identify and describe determinants contributing to stillbirths in a rural setting at a tertiary care centre, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using clinical records of all deliveries from June 2021 to May 2025. Among 12,636 deliveries, 417 stillbirths were identified. Data on maternal age, booking status, distance of the patient's residence from the study centre, gravida status, gestational age at delivery, fetal weight, characteristics of stillbirth and associated maternal risk factors were collected, checked and analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results: The stillbirth rate in this study was 33 per 1,000 births (3.3%). Majority of patients were unbooked (81.3%) and living 31-50 km away from the study centre (38.1%). Primigravidae contributed 49.2% of the total. Most stillbirths occurred <37 weeks (57.7%), with fresh stillbirth 65% and macerated 35%. Key contributing factors were recorded as unexplained in 34.5%, preeclampsia in 8.8% and meconium-stained liquor in 6.7%.

Conclusions: The study highlights gaps in antenatal care, intrapartum monitoring, and healthcare access in rural areas. Strengthening obstetric services and community awareness programs is absolutely crucial to reducing the stillbirth rate in rural scenario.

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