Booked vs. Unbooked Pregnancy Outcomes: Implications for Maternal and Fetal Health in a Resource-Limited Setting"

Unbooked pregnancy is associated with increased fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, as well as maternal morbidity. The study aimed to evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes in booked versus unbooked pregnancies among Sudanese women, identifying health disparities and assessing the impact of antenatal care. Across-sectional hospital-based study at Ibrahim Malik and Khartoum North Teaching Hospitals from March 2020–2021 included 312 women (156 booked, 156 unbooked). Unbooked women were older and more likely illiterate (p<0.05). Cesarean section (38.5% vs. 23.7%), obstructed labor, eclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage were significantly higher. Neonatal complications included higher stillbirth (6.5% vs. 2.6%), early neonatal death, low birth weight, and preterm delivery. The study concluded antenatal booking significantly improves maternal and neonatal outcomes, while unbooked pregnancies carry increased risks of obstetric complications and adverse fetal outcomes.