Mechanical Dystocia Research Articles

Internal manual rotation in intrapartal arrest of fetal head engagement

ObjectiveThe success of internal manual or digital rotation of the head in mechanical dystocia due to malpresentation, malposition or malrotation is presented in this paper on our own clinical material with reference of today's research and clinical recommendations. Study designThrough a retrospective bicentric clinical study, we investigated the success of internal head rotation in two University Clinics for gynecology and obstetrics from year 2017 to 2023. In 152 singleton term (37–42 weeks) in cases of persistens intrapartum arrest of the fetal head. After palpatory and ultrasonographically verified arrest of fetal head engagement, a therapeutic manual (Liepmann) or digital rotation was performed. ResultsIn 152 cases, manual rotation was performed in 108 (71.05 %) and digital rotation in 44 (28.94 %) cases in 73 (48.02 %) primiparous and 79 (51.97 %) multiparous. Intrapartum identification by digital palpation was done in all cases, and the following are: persistent occipital posterior position in 68 (44.73%), persistent deep transverse head presentation in 12 (7.89%), persistent high (longitudinal) occipital presentation in 64 (42.10 %) and persistent anterior asynclitism in 8 (5.26 %) cases. Episiotomy was used in 36 (23.68%) cases. Vacuum extraction was completed in 14 (9.21 %) deliveries, and cesarean section due to unsuccessful internal rotation in 15 (9.8 %) cases (%) without other indication. We did not record any intrapartum complications or cardiotocographic abnormalities. Cervical lacerations were treated with sutures in 4 cases (2.63 %). Successful correction of internal rotation procedure with spontaneous vaginal delivery was found in 80.92 % of cases. If we exclude delivery assisted by vacuum extraction whose indications were fetal hypoxia or dystocia after successful internal head rotation procedure, then the success rate of this method was 90.13 %. ConclusionInternal head rotation is a simple, safe and successful obstetric manual intervention that directly increases the rate of vaginal deliveries after correction of the birth mechanism anomaly and directly reduces the percentage of cesarean section. Manual or digital head rotation is an established midwifery/obstetric skill in several centers which, based on numerous clinical researches and experience, should become protocolized and included in the guidelines of professional associations.

Comparative evaluation of the caesarean section rate in term nulliparas with labour dystocia following augmentation with oxytocin alone versus with oxytocin and drotaverine

Background: Labour dystocia is the commonest indication for emergency caesarean section in nulliparas, and occurs when the progress of labour is abnormally slow. Labour dystocia may be caused by abnormalities in uterine contractions, slow cervical dilatation, or mechanical disproportion between the foetal presenting part and the maternal pelvis. Augmentation of labour with oxytocin is the traditional management for labour dystocia as it enhances uterine contractions. At times, despite good uterine contractions, dystocia persists due to cervical smooth muscle spasms or mechanical factors, thereby increasing the caesarean section rate. Drotaverine is a musculotropic antispasmodic and can relieve smooth muscle spasms. Aim/objective: This study compared the caesarean section rate in term nulliparas with labour dystocia that were augmented with oxytocin and placebo versus with oxytocin and drotaverine Methods: This study was a single-blinded randomized clinical trial conducted between January and August 2021. It involved 156 term nulliparous women with labour dystocia that were randomized into two groups for augmentation of labour. Each group had 78 parturients that were managed with either oxytocin with a placebo or oxytocin with drotaverine. They were monitored till delivery and the caesarean section rate in both groups was compared. Data obtained were analysed with SPSS version 23 software. The level of significance was set at 0.05, P< 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: The two groups were similar in their sociodemographic characteristics. In this study 21(13.5%) women had emergency caesarean section while 135(86.5%) had vaginal delivery following augmentation. The caesarean section rate in the oxytocin-placebo was similar to the oxytocin-drotaverine group (10 (12.8%) vs 11 (14.1%), p=0.82). The majority, 14 (67%) of the caesarean sections were due to mechanical factors, 4 (19%) were due to functional dystocia and 3(14%) were due to foetal distress. Conclusion: The use of drotaverine with oxytocin in managing labour dystocia did not improve the caesarean section rate as the majority of the cases had mechanical dystocia.

The proposal of the novel fetal shoulder dystocia graduation: a clinical-based opinion.

Shoulder dystocia is a peracute mechanical dystocia and a prepartum, usually unpredictable, life-threatening entity with significant forensic implications due to significantly poor perinatal outcome, especially permanent disability or perinatal death. To better objectify the graduation and to include other important clinical parameters, we believe it is appropriate to present a proposal for a complete perinatal weighted graduation of shoulder dystocia, based on several years of numerous other and our own clinical and forensic studies and thematic biobibliography. Obstetric maneuvers, neonatal outcome, and maternal outcome are three components, which are evaluated according to the severity of 0-4 proposed components. Thus, the gradation is ultimately in four degrees according to the total score: I. degreee, score 0-3: slightly shoulder dystocia with simple obstetric interventions, but without birth injuries; II. degree, score 4-7: mild shoulder dystocia resolved by external, secondary interventions and minor injuries; III. degree, score 8-10: severe shoulder dystocia with severe peripartum injuries; IV. degree, score 11-12: extremely difficult, severe shoulder dystocia with ultima ratio interventions applied and resulting extremely severe injuries with chronic disability, including perinatal death. As a clinically evaluated graduation, it certainly has an applicable long-term anamnestic and prognostic component for subsequent pregnancies and access to subsequent births, as it includes all relevant components of clinical forensic objectification.

Urinary Bladder Calculus as a Rare Cause of Obstructed Labour: A Series of Three Rare Cases

Obstructed labour by large urinary bladder stones is one of the rare complications. Very small number of cases have been described in available literature. The diagnosis is generally based on the history of patient, their clinical evaluation and ultrasonography scans during pregnancy. Majority of antenatal cases in rural areas come first time in Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) with labour pain and usually without any previous ultrasound scans. These cases are referred to higher centres due to prolonged obstructed labour. Although rare, but one should consider a large urinary bladder calculus as a cause of obstructed labour as early diagnosis and timely management of urinary bladder stones can prevent various complications like mechanical dystocia and Vesico-vaginal Fistula (VVF). Here authors report three cases of a large urinary bladder calculus causing obstructed labour. Caesarean section was done for obstructed labour and cystolithotomy was performed simultaneously in all three cases.

Community-Based Pregnant Women Initiative to Support Emergency Obstetric Care in Kimpese Health Zone, Province of Kogo Central, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background: Maternal mortality remains high in low- and middle-income countries. Many maternal deaths occur within hospitals often due to a lack of access to basic emergency obstetric care (Emoc). Aim: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a community-based pregnant women initiative to support emergency obstetric care in a Kimpese Health Zone (HZ). Setting: Kimpese Health Zone, Province of Central Kongo, in the South Western of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Results: Four hundred and thirty-five women were received for Emoc between January 2008 and June 2011, 75% were aged between 18 - 34 years old. Mechanical dystocia was the first cause of emergencies (34%). The diagnosis concordance between the transfers and the reasons for the transfer was weak and not statistically significant (Kappa = 0.350, p = 0.405). After the évaluation of the newborns, a favorable outcome was noted after the 10th day of de follow-up (95.4%). In multivariate analysis, the lack of ANC visits, the waiting time > 1 hour before the visit at the referral hospital, and assisted birth were the factors associated with the unfavorable obstetric outcomes. Conclusion: Improvement in maternal health involves better preparation of the community and the healthcare system for Emergency Obstetric Care. Research is needed for innovative and effective interventions in resource constraints settings.

Focal increta placentomegaly of the posterior nonscarred uterine wall and posterior asynclitic presentation.

Fetal malpresentations and malpositions are more common in placenta previa and uterine cavity abnormalities. To show successful management of focal increta placentomegaly and uterine preservation in primiparous woman. We describe posterior low-lying focal increta placentomegaly verified during cesarean section, which is apossible risk factor for persistent posterior asynclitism and consequent mechanical dystocia. In addition to antifibrinolytics and uterotonics, hemostatic compression sutures of the posterior uterine wall were performed with an applied intrauterine balloon, and thus the uterus was preserved in primiparous woman as adefinitive therapy. Timely identified malplacentation as well as adequate medical and surgical measures taken by an experienced team of obstetricians and anesthesiologists can contribute to preservation of the uterus and thus the life of mother and neonate.

A Postural Approach to the Pelvic Diameters of Obstetrics: The Dynamic External Pelvimetry Test.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in internal and external pelvimetry, in relation to the diagnosis of dystocia from a "contracted pelvis." Dystocia is still one of the causes of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality in the world. The main cause is the fetal-pelvic disproportion, of which mechanical dystocia and contracted pelvis are most probably involved. Clinical pelvimetry was the diagnostic method of "contracted pelvis" and still seems to have its place in the clinical obstetric routine. Studies have been conducted in order to measure anatomical diameters and correlate them with operative or vaginal delivery. Some studies have been published regarding the diameters' variation with the shifting of the patient's posture. The positions used in the research for the analysis of changes in pelvis measurements are the same as those used for centuries to assist and promote childbirth.This technical report is to define a method of measuring changes in classical pelvimetric external diameters in relation to the postural change of the subjects, taking into consideration the needs of the operators, the postural difficulties of pregnant women and the evidence acquired from instrumental research. It aims to propose a dynamic postural method suited to daily practice, according to the directives and principles of the classical external obstetric pelvimetry.

The Mode of delivery of grand multiparous with post-cesarean single uterine scar in low resources settings: A retrospective cohort study.

The prevalence of post-caesarean scar uterus, the most important risk factor of uterine rupture is increasing globally. Grand multiparity can also increase the risk of uterine rupture. The issue of grand multiparous with single post caesarean scar is poorly investigated.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with the mode of delivery of grand multiparous with post caesarean single uterine scar in low resources settings.Patients and MethodIt was a retrospective cohort study conducted from the 1st January to the 31st of May 2016, in three university teaching hospitals of the university of Yaoundé I in Cameroon. Grand multiparous (GMP) defined as parity ≥5 with single post-caesarean lower segment uterine scar admitted at a gestational age of 37 completed weeks and above were compared to grand multiparous without scar uterus at term. GMP with unknown scar were excluded. The mode of delivery and materno-fetal and neonatal outcome were investigated.ResultsWe included 33 GMP with single lower segment uterine scar and 120 GMP without uterine scar. Induction of labor and acute fetal distress were not related to having a scar or not in grand GMP, but augmentation of labor was less likely to be conducted in case of GMP with scar uterus(p = 0.08). The frequency of vaginal delivery was 75.8 and 87.5% in grand multiparous with and without uterine scar respectively (OR 0.17–1.16; P = 0.085), with one case of instrumental delivery in scarless group. However, single scar multiparity status increased by 2.42 folds the risk of delivery by caesarian section (P = 0.066). Cephalo-pelvic disproportion increased the indication of caesarian section by 12-fold in the GMP with scar group (p = 0.031), but mechanical dystocia related indications (CPD, macrosomia,) were present in only 4 cases out of 8 caesarian sections in the exposed group. The Apgar score at the fifth minute was better in the GMP with scar group. (p = 0.037).ConclusionGrand multiparous with single post-cesarean uterine scar should be given a chance of vaginal delivery in the absence added feto-maternal morbidity.

Caesarean Section in African Setting: Current Situation, Problematic and Qualitative Approaches at Laquintinie Hospital (Douala, Cameroon)

Background: Quality control of care aims to reduce or eliminate unnecessary care and to improve the quality of those who are useful both in their indication and in their implementation. Objective: We conducted this study to assess the rate of caesarean section, the rate of irrelevant indications, materno-foetal morbidity and mortality, biases in the management in order to suggest corrective approaches. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in the gynaeco-obstetrics department of the Laquintinie Hospital of Douala over a period of 4 months from January 1 to April 30, 2017. We included all pregnant women who had a caesarean section and who gave consent to our study as well as new-borns from these caesareans. We excluded caesarean deliveries from other health structures and referred to Laquintinie Hospital due to morbid operative follow-up. The variables collected were grouped under 3 main headings: socio-demographic data, clinical data and post-operative follow-up. Results: A total of 281 caesarean sections were performed out of a total of 967 deliveries; a caesarean section rate of 29.06% in 4 months. After data mining, 250 caesarean sections were included in the study because 31 cases of caesarean deliveries were unusable. Referred pregnancies accounted for 46.8% of the total population and the most common reason for referral was stationary labour (23% of cases). All caesareans were performed by the gynaeco-obstetricians. Women who had caesarean deliveries were informed by the operator of the surgical procedure in 28.4% of cases and 27.6% were notified of the indication for surgery. The operative kit was present in 98% of cases. The operating room was available in 93% of cases. Caesareans were performed mostly in an emergency context (91.2%) with a median turnaround time of 214 minutes (3 h 56 mins). Mechanical dystocia was the major indication in our series (21.2%) and 29 indications were irrelevant (11.6%). Intraoperative complications occurred in 3.2% of cases. Overall maternal mortality (per- and post-operative) was 0.8% (2 cases). We recorded 15 neonatal deaths out of which 8 were still births. Regarding the postoperative period, 78% of the operated patients did not have a good immediate postoperative monitoring. The post-operative protocol was not respected in 17% of cases. Postoperative complications occurred in 21.6% of patients with first cause being infections (10.8% with 5.6% being parietal suppurations). Conclusion: The frequency of Caesarean sections at Laquintinie Hospital is above the World Health Organization’s recommendations of 5% - 15%. There is a very big delay in the execution time of emergency caesareans, far above the international standards despite the quasi-availability of operating kits and the operating theatre. The state of the premises reveals a sub-workforce creating work overload and therefore a demotivation of the staff leading to insufficient communication between the operator and operated, a lack of postoperative follow-up and significant neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hence the need to initiate a staff satisfaction survey.

External anthropometric measurement and pelvimetry among nulliparous women in Lubumbashi: risk factors and predictive score of mechanical dystocia

IntroductionLa morbi-mortalité maternelle et périnatale reste élevée dans la majeure partie de l'Afrique subsaharienne par rapport au reste du monde. Dépister, avant le travail, les femmes à risque de dystocies mécaniques et les référer à un hôpital mieux équipé pour accouchement contribue à la stratégie visant à réduire la morbi-mortalité. L'objectif de cette étude est de développer un score prédictif de la dystocie mécanique lors de l'accouchement chez les nullipares congolaises.MéthodesIl s'agit d'une étude transversale analytique sur les nullipares avec des grossesses uniques dans 7 maternités de la ville de Lubumbashi (RDC). La taille, le poids et les mensurations pelvimétriques externes maternelles ont été récoltés et analysés. Une analyse univariée et une analyse multivariée étaient réalisées. La discrimination du score était évaluée à l'aide de la courbe ROC.RésultatsNous avons recruté 535 nullipares au cours de la période d'étude, dont 126 (23,55%) avaient accouché par césarienne indiquée pour dystocie mécanique. Après modélisation logistique, trois critères sont ressortis comme facteurs prédictifs de dystocie mécanique: la taille maternelle <150cm (ORajusté=2,96 [1,49-5,87]), le diamètre bi-ischiatique <8cm (ORajusté=15,96 [3,46-73,56]) et le diamètre prépubien de Trillat <11cm (ORajusté=2,34 [1,36-4,01]). L'aire sous la courbe ROC du score est de 0,6549 avec une sensibilité de 23,81%, une spécificité de 97,80% et une valeur prédictive positive de 76,92%.ConclusionIl a été observé que les valeurs de 10ème percentile des trois mesures anthropométriques maternelles étaient prédictives de la dystocie mécanique. Lorsqu'elles étaient utilisées ensemble, ces trois valeurs permettaient de développer un score de dépistage à faible coût pour une utilisation dans les milieux à faible revenu.

Successful Second Trimester Myomectomy in a Critically Ill Patient

Uterine leiomyomas (myomas) poses antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal risks, including pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, antepartum and postpartum haemorrhage, abnormal placental implantation, fetal malpresentation, mechanical dystocia and need for caesarean section. Though traditionally contraindicated due to their risk of pregnancy loss and massive haemorrhage, antenatal myomectomies have been shown to be beneficial in selected cases in more recent studies. We present a case of a patient who underwent a successful open subserosal myomectomy at 24 weeks gestation for worsening pelvic pain and subacute bowel obstruction. Following a turbulent post-operative phase and admission to the critical care unit, the pregnancy continued without further complications. At 38 weeks gestation, the patient underwent an uncomplicated elective caesarean section.

Childbirth in the Adolescent Female at the General Hospital of Loandjili (Congo)

Objective: To contribute to the knowledge of the characteristics of teenage birth. Patients and Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and comparative studies, from February 1st 2014 to April 31st 2015, carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department General Hospital of Loandjili. Included were births of less than 18 years of age at the end of a pregnancy of at least 22 weeks of amenorrhea on the one hand, and adults aged 18 and over, who had given birth at the same end of the pregnancy immediately after the teenager. Thus two populations consisted of 170 cases each. The parameters studied were: Sociodemographic, clinical and prognostic characteristics. Results: During this period, 4190 patients had given birth to 4341 births. Among them, 170 teenage girls are 4%. The average age of teenagers in our study was 16.2 years with a 17-year-age, versus 28.2 years for adults. The average parity was 1.19. While in adults, multiparity was represented at 45.89% with an average parity of 3.19. The average number of prenatal consultations (ANC) was 2.89 for adolescent girls and 31.2% had not been performed. By cons in adults, it was 4.23. These ANCs were started in teenage girls with an average of 22 weeks at the first ANC, while adults started on average at 18 weeks. The average delivery time was 38 weeks of amenorrhea for both populations. Thirty-four cases of premature newborns from adolescent mothers were observed, compared with 14 in adult mothers (p 0.05). The delivery mode was low in 66% of adolescent girls versus 75% of adults. Indications for caesarean section in adolescents were represented by complications of arterial hypertension (38.59%), followed by mechanical dystocia. While in adults, cervical dystocia and scar uteri were the most represented. During this study period, no maternal deaths were recorded among adolescent girls. Characteristics of the newborn: the condition of the newborn at birth was good according to the rating of Apgar among teenagers in 91%, and in adults in 96.5% and, with a birth weight at teenage girls normal in 74% versus 88% in adults. Low birth weight and prematurity were reported with a statistically significant difference in adolescent girls.

La prueba de parto en la obstetricia actual

He aquí, pues, las tres formas como se ha concebido en el tiempo el problema de la distocia mecánica en el parto; estenosis pélvica, desproporción pélvico-cefálica mecánica y desproporción pélvica.cefálica mecánico-funcional.

Vesical calculus: An unusual cause of labour dystocia

Mechanical dystocia occurs in obstetrics, is not uncommon and, if improperly managed will lead to maternal and perinatal complication. The commonest cause of obstructed labour is cephalo-pelvic dis...

Multiple laparotomic myomectomy during pregnancy: a case report

The presence of uterine myomas during pregnancy is considered a risk factor for gestation and delivery. In literature, myomas are related to spontaneous abortion, bleeding, PPROM, preterm delivery, placenta previa, placental abruption, fetal malpresentations, mechanical dystocia and high incidence of cesarean section. Laparotomic myomectomy done during pregnancy is indicated when symptoms related to uterine myomas, as acute pelvic pain or gastroenteric or urinary symptoms, persist despite the pharmacological therapy. The purpose of this study is to show a successful surgical management of uterine myomas at 15.5 weeks of pregnancy, which allowed the continuation of gestation and a delivery without major complications.

Bladder stone: uncommon cause of mechanical dystocia

Bladder stone can exceptionally cause an obstetrical dystocia. A combined procedure of cesarean section with a cystolithotomy is the most advocated attitude. The authors reported a rare case of mechanical dystocia caused by a bladder stone in a 27 year-old multiparous women. The diagnosis was suspected during labor and a vaginal examination revealed a large firm mass in the anterior vagina wall. This mass was responsible for an obstruction of the pelvis requiring a cesarean section. A cystotomy was performed intraoperatively and a bladder stone weighing 130 g and measuring 8 x 6 x 4 cm(3) was extracted. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Labor dystocia and its association with interpregnancy interval

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of labor dystocia and its association with interpregnancy interval. We linked the birth data for Michigan infants who were born from 1994 to 2002 with the hospital discharge data. The International Classification of Diseases (9th revision, clinical modifications, ICD-9-CM) codes that indicate labor dystocia were identified by a physician panel and classified as functional and mechanical dystocia. We estimated the prevalence of labor dystocia and used stratified and logistic regression analyses to evaluate labor dystocia in relation to interpregnancy interval, controlling for other reproductive risk factors. Overall, 20.8% of the births involved labor dystocia (11.1% functional; 12.5% mechanical). Both functional and mechanical dystocia were more prevalent in first births than in subsequent births; mechanical dystocia was more prevalent in multiple births than in singleton births. In singleton births to multiparous mothers, labor dystocia was associated with the interpregnancy interval in a dose-response fashion. Compared with an interpregnancy interval of <2 years, the adjusted odds ratios that was associated with interpregnancy intervals of 2 to 3, 4 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 9, and 10+ years were 1.06 (95% CI, 1.04-1.08), 1.15 (95% CI, 1.12-1.17), 1.25 (95% CI, 1.21-1.29), 1.31 (95% CI, 1.26-1.37), and 1.50 (95% CI, 1.45-1.56), respectively, when we controlled for other reproductive risk factors. Functional dystocia was associated more strongly with interpregnancy interval than mechanical dystocia. Labor dystocia is common. In singleton births to multiparous mothers, labor dystocia increased with interpregnancy interval.

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is not associated with obstructed labor, A study among Pakistani women in Karachi

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread among pregnant Pakistanis in Norway. It may cause osteomalacia with destruction of maternal pelvis, and thus be a risk factor for cephalopelvic disproportion. This study was performed to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is common among pregnant Pakistanis in Pakistan, and to test the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency in nulliparous pregnant women is associated with mechanical dystocia. The study was carried out at the Civil Hospital, in a poor area of Karachi, and had a case-referent design. Thirty-seven nulliparous parturients with Cesarean section due to mechanical dystocia served as cases, and 80 nulliparous parturients with uncomplicated vaginal delivery were their referents. All blood samples were drawn before parturition. The mothers with obstructed labor were shorter (on average 150 vs. 155 cm, p= 0.0001) and lighter (on average 58 vs. 60.5 kg, p=0.005) than their referents. Seventy-one percent (83/117) of all the participants had marginal or low vitamin D status defined as serum level of calcidiol (25-OH vitamin D3) below 30 nmol/l. Vitamin D deficiency was, however, not more widespread among the mothers with obstructed labor (20/37 vs. 63/80). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the serum levels of the carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen, a sensitive biochemical marker of bone resorption, (7.2 vs. 6.6 microg/l), and bone specific alkaline phosphate (18.1 vs. 22.0 U/l) a sensitive marker of bone formation. Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is common in Karachi, but is not associated with mechanical dystocia.

The value of maternal height as a risk factor of dystocia: a meta‐analysis

Ten publications and studies on the relation between maternal height and the risk of dystocia due to cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) are analysed. The rate of Caesarean sections was chosen as the CPD indicator. When maternal height is presented in percentiles, curves can be superimposed, and sensitivities and specificities of the various studies may be analysed together. One biased study was excluded; the remaining 9 were pooled and regression lines calculated for sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the entire set of points. The resulting model, i.e. Se = 10.9 + 1.99 Y and Sp = 99.9 - 0.99 Y, permits easy calculation of the expected sensitivity and specificity for each percentile Y. When the frequency of Caesarean section due to CPD is known, positive and negative predictive values can also be calculated. The proposed formulas can also be used to determine confidence intervals. The findings in terms of the sensitivity and specificity of low maternal height as a risk factor for dystocia indicate that 1 out of 5 pregnant women would have to be referred for further investigation to identify half of the cases of mechanical dystocia necessitating Caesarean section. The predictive value for a Caesarean rate of 2% (a value often seen in developing countries) for this 20th percentile would be only 5%. Practical ways of choosing a reference criterion are suggested. A two-track strategy (antenatal check-ups and community monitoring) is proposed.

Parenthood following renal and hepatic transplantation.

Our extensive experience with parenthood following transplantation includes 67 pregnancies caused by 50 male renal recipients, 56 pregnancies in 37 female renal recipients, and 3 pregnancies in female hepatic recipients. There were 109 live births, 1 stillbirth, 11 abortions (3 spontaneous), 1 ectopic pregnancy, and 5 pregnancies are still current. Major risks to pregnant female renal recipients include a 27% incidence of preeclampsia and a 7% chance of permanent impairment of renal functions. Patients with hypertension and/or impaired renal function before pregnancy are particularly prone to these complications. In patients with satisfactory renal function before pregnancy, there may be some deterioration during gestation. Usually this is transient and returns to preexisting levels postpartum. Usually the transplanted kidney does not produce any mechanical dystocia during labor. During vaginal delivery there is no apparent mechanical injury to the transplanted kidney. Severe postpartum sepsis may occur. Risks to the offspring of male renal recipients are small. However, there is a substantial hazard to the newborn of female recipients. Forty-nine percent of the newborns were delivered prematurely. Thirty percent had one or more complications during the neonatal period including respiratory distress syndrome, congenital anomalies, adrenocortical insufficiency, infection, hyperviscosity, liver dysfunction, and seizures. Experience of parenthood after liver transplantation is limited to two females, both with good hepatic function. One had two satisfactory pregnancies and gave birth to normal infants. The second underwent therapeutic abortion as parenthood was not desired. Both women continued with good homograft function.