Maternal Outcome of Obstructed Labour at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna State

Obstructed labour remains a significant contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in northern Nigeria, where barriers to timely skilled care access and facility delivery continue to complicate case management. This study examines the maternal outcomes of obstructed labour at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital (BDTH), Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. A five-year retrospective review of all obstructed labour cases admitted between 2018 and 2022 was conducted. Data were extracted from case notes and labour ward records on patient demographics, parity, duration of labour before admission, referral status, mode of delivery, and maternal complications. Obstructed labour was identified in 3.2 percent of all deliveries. Unbooked referrals from traditional birth attendants constituted 68 percent of cases. Cephalopelvic disproportion (47 percent) and deep transverse arrest (31 percent) were the primary causes. Caesarean section was the mode of delivery in 91 percent. Obstetric vesico-vaginal fistula was documented in 12 patients (8.4 percent of obstructed labour cases). Uterine rupture occurred in 9 cases (6.3 percent). There were four maternal deaths. The continued high incidence of preventable complications underscores the need for structured obstetric referral pathways, timely decision-to-incision protocols, and community education on recognising early labour obstruction warning signs in Kaduna State. Keywords: obstructed labour, vesico-vaginal fistula, Kaduna State, maternal morbidity, BDTH