HIGH-RISK MATERNAL FACTORS RELATED TO FETAL WASTAGE IN RURAL BANGLADESH

In rural Bangladesh, early fetal wastage and stillbirth are higher among pregnancy orders one and six or higher than among orders two and three. The increased risk is particularly apparent among those pregnancies following two or more previous fetal deaths. Women in the higher pregnancy orders who have not experienced previous fetal deaths or only one fetal death have only a slight increase in the risk of fetal death compared to women in pregnancy orders two and three. The virtual absence of obstetric care and the high maternal mortality in this Bengali population may allow only women without reproductive impairments to reach the higher pregnancy orders. © 1979, North American Conference of British Studies. All rights reserved.