Postpartum maternal morbidity and mortality associated with retained placenta in South Eastern Nigeria

Objective: To determine the incidence and complications of retained placenta in Aba, Southeastern Nigeria.Methodology: An observational cohort study that included all women with retained placenta after a vaginal delivery and managed at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2011.Results: There were 102 cases of retained placenta and 5840 deliveries giving an incidence of retained placenta of 1.7%. The vast majority (81/102) were unbooked. Primary postpartum haemorrhage occurred in 40% of the women. There was a case fatality rate of 4%.Conclusion: Retained placenta is a cause of postpartum maternal morbidity and mortality in Aba, south-eastern Nigeria. There is therefore a need to train birth attendants in the appropriate management of delivery and third stage of labour to prevent retained placenta and postpartum haemorrhage.Keywords: Retained placenta, Maternal morbidity and mortalit