An informed individual is better placed to make reasonable decisions. It is therefore of vital importance that women be knowledgeable about obstetric complications to enable them to respond appropriately to complications that may arise. This study aimed to explore primigravidae's knowledge of obstetric complications. A descriptive study design was used to determine what knowledge primigravidae had of obstetric complications. Recognition of obstetric complications in pregnancy, during labour and after delivery and actions that participants would take if they developed any complications in pregnancy and after delivery were explored. Participants' actions were not sought for problems faced during labour because the researcher felt the participants would have little control of the situation with regard to choice during labour.
Methods: Participants were selected by means of purposive sampling from a population of pregnant women who fitted defined criteria attending antenatal clinic at a health centre. Thirty-three primigravidae from the rural setting with a gestation period between 28 and 42 weeks were interviewed.
Results: The findings showed that participants were more aware of obstetric complications that could occur in pregnancy than of complications that may occur during and after delivery. Participants had limited knowledge of complications that may need immediate treatment during all three periods. Eighty-two percent (95% ci: 67-96) of the primigravidae had some knowledge and could make an informed decision to go to a health facility with pregnancy complications. Sixty-one percent (95% ci: 42-79) of the primigravidae had knowledge and could make an informed decision to go to a health facility with complications after delivery. These findings have critical implications for the provision of information on obstetric complications. The information given should cover all three periods, with emphasis on those obstetric complications that require immediate treatment.