The effect of using maternal care log book on pregnancy outcome in clients referred to private gynecologists and midwives offices

BACKGROUND: One of the important health indicators in every society is maternal and neonatal health status. Provision of the best prenatal care can reduce mortality rate in these two susceptible groups. This study focused on the effect of maternal care log book on pregnancy outcome. METHODS: This was a clinical trial and 180 samples were randomly selected from the mothers referred to private offices of gynecologists and midwives and were divided into two groups of case and control. The outcome of pregnancy was determined by prenatal care log books in the case group and with pregnancy card in the control group. The data were collected using quality of life questionnaire and a pregnancy complications questionnaire. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods (Fisher's exact test, independent t-test and chi-square test) were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a significant difference between case and control groups concerning normal vaginal delivery (p = 0.01), preterm labor (p = 0.015) and postpartum infection (p = 0.012). The result of quality of life in physical and mental domains and especially in mental domains was better in the case group than in the control group (p = 0.026 in physical and mental dimensions and (p = 0.02 in mental dimensions). This difference was lower in physical dimensions alone (p = 0.049). However, there was no significant difference between the case and control groups in terms of preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and intrauterine fetal death. CONCLUSIONS: As found out by the results, using maternal log book of mothers cares due to its comprehensive care items was more effective than simple maternal cards used by gynecologists and midwives. This can bring about better prenatal care and detected pregnancy complications.