Emergency Department Management of Obstetric Complications

This book provides an evidence-based, practical approach to the wide spectrum of obstetric complications an emergency clinician must be prepared to manage throughout all trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum. Obstetrical emergencies can be among the most stressful events an emergency clinician will face in their career. Late pregnancy bleeding or precipitous emergency delivery can be potentially catastrophic events for both the patient and their baby. For pregnant patients, even seemingly minor incidents such as a trip and fall can result in dreaded complications such as placental abruption and fetal loss.
Obstetrical support services vary widely between different facilities, and clinicians must be prepared to stabilize and manage any pregnant patient that comes through the door. This book provides vital information for conditions encountered in daily practice, such as early pregnancy bleeding, as well as rarely encountered but potentially catastrophic events such as a pregnant patient in cardiac arrest. Important additions in this updated volume include expanded discussion of the American College of Radiology guidelines and recommendations regarding screening for pregnancy, obtaining informed consent, and appropriately counselling patients on the risks and benefits of imaging studies. Management of common postpartum complications, such as mastitis, are discussed. Another important addition is a chapter dedicated to post-abortion complications. With the rapidly changing political landscape, many patients are likely to face increased barriers to accessing contraception, abortion, miscarriage management, and sexual health information. Following the June 2022 Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, it is expected that this number will only increase, as will the number of patients seeking care in emergency departments following self-managed abortions.
The second edition of Emergency Department Management of Obstetric Complications is written for emergency clinicians in all practice settings.