A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health in the field of Hospital Management July, 2014 / BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged the importance of maternal care and listed it as part of its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The 5th goal is focused on improving maternal health by reducing the maternal mortality rate by 75% by 2015. South Africa has aligned itself with the MDGs. The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development has also embraced the MDGs and decided to improve its maternal health services. It has decided to target Intra-partum period for interventions to improve maternal health because intra-partum period is associated with a high rate of perinatal death from intra-partum hypoxia (4.8 per 1000 births) (National Department of Health, 2000), as well as a significant number of maternal death (8.7%) (NCCEMD, 2007). This study was planned to systematically study the clinical procedure performed during the intra-partum period at the Heidelberg Hospital (a semi - rural district hospital in the Lesedi Sub – district of Sedibeng District in Gauteng Province). AIM: To describe the clinical procedures and factors related to these procedures and maternal and neonatal health outcomes for the mothers admitted and delivered in the Maternity unit at Heidelberg hospital during one year period (1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011) METHODOLOGY: The setting of this study was the Maternity unit of the Heidelberg Hospital. A cross sectional study design was used based on retrospective review of routinely collected data for 12 months (2010 April 1st to 2011 March 31st). No intervention was done as a part of this study. The study variables included different clinical procedures (such as normal vaginal delivery, assisted vaginal delivery, caesarean section, evacuation of uterus, caesarean hysterectomy), socio-demographic profile of patients (such as age, gender, ethnicity, medical aid), clinical profile (such antenatal diseases, booking status, intra-partum complications, postpartum complications) and maternal and perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: The study found highest number of deliveries (78.6%) were normal vertex deliveries and a very few (1%) assisted and breech deliveries. The caesarean section rate was high (20.4%) as compared to the normal national target (12, 5%). Fetal distress and CPD was the main indications for caesarean section. The majority of women who delivered at Heidelberg Hospital maternity came from poor socio-economic class, mostly single, teenagers, and unemployed. They were the most vulnerable group in the Society. The majority of women were booked and referred from PHC clinic where they were booked for antenatal check-up. Pregnancy induced hypertension was the commonest obstetric problem encountered during antenatal period. Most women who delivered at Heidelberg hospital during the period were discharged without complications, no maternal deaths were reported. There were 8.1% preterm deliveries but a relatively high still birth rate which is of concern. CONCLUSION: The study was the first of its kind to be done at Heidelberg Hospital and the Sedibeng Health District. The study systematically analysed routinely collected data and identified high risk patients, who would require special attention. This study would hopefully assist the Hospital Management to realise the high rate of CS and to develop appropriate measures to reduce unnecessary C/S being done, and to strengthen referral systems. In addition, further study is necessary at clinic level in the sub-district to identify work-loads in the feeder clinics.