Obstetric emergencies

This article describes the presentation and management of a range of obstetric emergencies. Obstetric haemorrhage, severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are the more common conditions discussed, others include placental abruption, placenta praevia, accidental total spinal anaesthetic, and emergency caesarean section. The scenarios leading to maternal collapse and cardiac arrest are identified and the management described. Failed intubation in obstetric general anaesthesia is addressed because this may be becoming a more important problem as evidenced by the most recent report of the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Death in the United Kingdom. The cornerstone of management is a multidisciplinary approach and the article highlights the importance of multidisciplinary training courses and fire drills.