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Abstract
Background: Antenatal care helps identify and manage risks during pregnancy, yet some women still reach delivery without prior care. This study examined maternal outcomes among women with preeclampsia and compared complications between those who were booked and unbooked at a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 157 women diagnosed with preeclampsia. We collected demographic and obstetric data and assessed maternal outcomes, including postpartum hemorrhage, placental abruption, and acute renal failure. We compared these outcomes by booking status using standard statistical tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Most women were aged 20–35 years, lived in urban areas, and had received antenatal care. Overall complication rates were low. Postpartum hemorrhage occurred in a small proportion and did not show strong associations, although it was more frequent among unbooked women. Placental abruption was significantly higher among rural and unbooked patients. Acute renal failure was rare but occurred only in unbooked women.
Conclusion: Maternal complications were uncommon overall, but women without antenatal care faced higher risks, particularly for more severe outcomes. Improving early use of antenatal services, especially in underserved groups, may help reduce preventable complications.