Obstetric emergencies

Obstetric emergencies occur in a significant minority of otherwise normal pregnancies. Swift diagnosis and rapid intervention will result in good outcomes. Most obstetric emergency situations have been well described and have widely accepted management strategies. Despite this, the triennial reports on maternal mortality continue to highlight widespread substandard care that, in many cases, probably contributed to the deaths reported. In this article we present the common emergencies and their management. In every section, the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork is emphasized as is the importance of senior clinical involvement. While pregnant patients are generally young, fit and compensate well, the physiological demands of pregnancy reduce their reserve. Early recognition of illness and prompt treatment is essential.