Análisis de partos no institucionales en la Provincia de Linares. Años 1984, 1985, 1986

Abstract

In this study, an analysis was made of the home-deliveries unattended by professionals that occurred between 984-1986 in Linares Province, Chile. The following figures were collected: * The percentage of deliveries attended by professionals in the whole province in 986 was 96,3%: the county with the highest figures was Linares, with 97.9%, 98,9%, and 98.4%, and the county with the lowest figures was Longaví with 90.1%, 90.3% and 90.8%, during 1984-1986 respectively. * Unattended home deliveries occurred in multiparous women between the age of 21-25 years with a past history of previous home deliveries but who attended Clinics antenatally; they had sub- normal nutritional status and had other pathology or high risk factors. The deliveries occurred in the women’s homes which were in areas close to a medical centre (but not necessarily easily accessible); the women were attended by another member of the family and gave birth without major maternal problems. * “Precipitate delivery” or “Lack of interest of the mother” were given as the causes of home de- liveries, as well as “extreme rurality”, as 55% of the province is composed of rural areas which are inaccessible in winter, especially at the foot of the Andes. * The births occurred between 3842 weeks, with birth weights greater than 3 kg. An important relationship between unattended home delivery and the perinatal mortality rate was noted with 33 peri- natal deaths during the study. This continues to be one of the principle consequences of unattended deliveries, despite the efforts of the obstetric and perinatal teams to detect pregnancy early, to maintain an adequate antenatal control and to make early referrals to a medical centre.