BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic suddenly attracted focus of entire health care system which leads to disrupted routine maternal health services. Furthermore, lockdown and curfew made scarcity of vehicle for transportation; there was also fear of attending hospital facilities or health stuffs. There are multiple studies indicates drastic decrease at hospital admission and institutional delivery rate and increased maternal mortality and miscarriage. This retrospective study is to find out vaginal delivery, caesarean section, maternal mortality and admission rate changes in pre and post COVID lockdown period in India.

METHODS: Study Design: This is a retrospective, observational study of women admitted at Maternity ward of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, COM &JNM Hospital, Kalyani, West Bengal from January 2019 to December 2021 were included in the study. The data was taken and compiled from the admission register and was analysed in terms of vaginal delivery, caesarean section, maternal mortality etc.

Study area: Maternity ward of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department of, College of Medicine & JNM Hospital, Kalyani.

Study population: All women admitted in the Maternity ward of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, College of Medicine & JNM Hospital, Kalyani.

RESULTS: We can clearly see decline in admission rate after COVID-19 pandemic with reduced vaginal and caesarean section rate. Delivery to admission rate increased during lockdown and post lockdown period indicating people seeking medical attention only when it is unavoidable. We also observed very high maternal mortality rate in lockdown and post lockdown period compared to pre-pandemic time.

Conclusion: This study identifies a significant decline in hospital admission, vaginal delivery and caesarean section rate after India was hit by COVID-19. Though this was mediated by multiple factors there is no doubt that mothers experienced either delay or denial of maternal health services during this pandemic.

KEY WORDS: Pandemic, Health care services Surgical termination of pregnancy, Dilatation and evacuation, Contraception.

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