Maternal near-miss in a great grandmultipara following unsafe abortion: A focus on the uncommon contributing factors

Abstract

Unsafe abortion and its complications have been limited to adolescents lacking family and partner support without attention to older, married  women and their peculiarities regarding unsafe abortions. Main objective of the study was to focus on uncommon contributing factors to unsafe abortion in older women. A 40year old, great grandmultipara [Para 10+1,8 alive] with awareness on modern contraception underwent unsafe abortion following in severe morbidity [severe anaemia, perforated gangrenous uterus and septicaemia] which necessitated exploratory laparotomy and  subtotal hysterectomy. Adequate puerperal care, cultural reorientation, review of information in family planning jingles and liberalization of abortion law will assist in preventing unsafe abortions among older women.

Key words: Maternal near-miss, unsafe abortion, great grandmultipara, contributing factors.