Open AccessBackground- Obstetric emergencies can occur suddenly and unexpectedly They are associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. Early identification of high risk pregnancies can reduce the obstetric emergencies .Study was carried out to find out the incidence ,nature  and outcome of obstetric emergencies.
Material and methods-Retrospective observational study of all obstetric emergencies admitted at tertiary care center over two years period was done.
Results-Obstetric emergencies occurred more frequently during antenatal period (52%) than intra (32%)or postnatal period(16%).Hemorrhage and severe hypertension were the common emergencies during pregnancy, where as prolong labour ,obstructed labour and rupture uterus were common during  intra natal period. Postpartum hemorrhag ,retained placenta and inversion of uterus and puerperal sepsis were common causes of emergencies during postnatal period. Maternal and perinatal mortality was significantly higher in obstetric emergency cases. Postpartum hemorrhage was the commonest direct cause and infective hepatitis was the commonest indirect cause for maternal deaths. Prematurity,low birth weight babies and birth asphyxia were responsible for 90 percent of perinatal deaths.
Conclusion-Early registration , regular antenatal visits ,early identification and timely referral of high risk pregnancies can reduce the incidence of obstetric emergencies. Training of nurse midwives ,village health workers and doctors in early identification and treatment of common emergencies can reduce the maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.