Uncertain gestation and pregnancy outcome.

The outcome of pregnancy in 214 women with uncertain or unknown gestation was compared with that of 786 women who knew their dates. Adverse pregnancy outcome such as Cesarean Section, forceps delivery, vacuum extraction, stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates were significantly higher in the groups with uncertain or unknown gestation (P less than 0.005). A number of factors such as education of husband or wife, gestation at booking, material age, and area of upbringing were found to have a significant influence (P less than 0.05) on the ability of a woman to remember her last menstrual period. Ultrasound Scanning was not used to check the expected date of delivery.