Background: Haemorrhage dominates discussion of early puerperal morbidity, but other complications arising in the first 24 hours after delivery also contribute to maternal illness. Their distribution across maternal risk factors in Bangladeshi tertiary hospitals is poorly documented. This study aimed to describe the types of non-haemorrhagic immediate puerperal complications and their distribution according to maternal risk factors. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study with prospective data collection was carried out at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from July to December 2009. Three hundred women aged 15 to 45 years, selected randomly from those admitted for delivery, were observed for 24 hours after birth. Women with teenage pregnancy, grand multiparity, severe anaemia, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, antepartum haemorrhage, prolonged or obstructed labour or prolonged rupture of membranes formed the risk group. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: Twenty-three non-haemorrhagic complications (7.66%) were recorded, 22 (7.33%) in the risk group and 1 (0.33%) in the non-risk group. Tachycardia was the most frequent complication (16 events), followed by paralytic ileus (4) and urinary retention (3). Prolonged rupture of membranes accounted for 8 events, obstructed labour for 6, prolonged labour for 4, antepartum haemorrhage for 3 and severe anaemia for 1. No complication was reported with age below 18 years, grand multiparity or pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Lower uterine caesarean section was performed in 58.00% of the risk group and 4.60% of the non-risk group. Conclusion: Non-haemorrhagic immediate puerperal complications were concentrated among women with identified risk factors, particularly prolonged rupture of membranes, obstructed labour and prolonged labour. Close observation of such women in the first 24 hours is warranted.