Obstetric Emergencies

Obstetric Emergencies

Introduction

Emergencies during childbirth carry a high risk of mortality and morbidity to the woman and her baby. Accurate and prompt action of the midwife to summon medical aid determines their survival. In most cases emergencies in obstetrics are associated with hemorrhage, amniotic embolism, maternal and fetal distress and obstructed labour and cord prolapse. These conditions that constitute emergencies in childbirth will be discussed in this unit and your role as a midwife to effect prompt life saving measures to prevent death will be highlighted

Objectives

At the end of this unit the learner will be knowledgeable to be able to

·              Identify the types and causes of emergencies in pregnancy and labour.

·              Give post abortion care.

·              Describe the midwife’s management of emergency situ ations in labour and puerperium .

·              Judge accurately when labour is getting prolonged

·              Have thorough understanding of prompt diagnosis and intelligent intervention of post partum hemorrhage