Obstetrical Emergencies of Pregnancies

Obstetrical Emergencies of Pregnancies

The most life threatening emergencies that occur

with women in pregnancy, during or after labor or
delivery are known as Obstetrical emergencies.
In 6th MRCOG module, under the topic
emergencies, we've following listed topics:

Introduction to Emergency Module

Blood transfusion
Intra/ante partum hemorrhage
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy
Amniotic Fluid embolism
Cord Prolapse
PET/ Eclampsia
Uterine inversion

of

Shoulder Dystocia
An emergency is the vast and equally important
subject for the exam preparation of MRCOG. The
introduction of module is made with the fact that
regardless the basic principles are same while
dealing with emergencies. It is different for the
reason it deals with two. Mother and fetus, who are
prone to hypoxic insult during the period of
maternal collapse.
Women can have numerous problems during
pregnancy and in labor or after that causing the life
at risk of both mother and child. The obstetrical
emergencies can arose in active labor and after
delivery/postpartum.
This blog is dedicated to discuss only obstetrical
emergencies of pregnancies only.
Obstetrical emergencies of pregnancy have been
classified into Ectype pregnancy, Placental
Abruption,
Placenta
Previa,
Pre-Eclampsia/
Eclampsia, Premature Rupture of Membranes
(PROM).
Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is also known as tubal

pregnancy. This pregnancy is different from other
pregnancies as the fertilized egg is placed in the
fallopian tube instead of the uterine wall. If tubal
pregnancy is not aborted at the early stages, then
in consequences the fallopian will rip apart,
causing interior hemorrhaging and this will result to
permanent infertility.
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption or abruptio placents, happens
when placenta detach itself from the uterus hastily,
as a result bleeding and contractions occurs. If 50%
of placenta detaches them selves from the uterus,
it will cause risk for both (mother and fetus).
Placenta Previa
When placenta affixes itself to the mouth of the
uterus, completely or incompletely obstruct the
cervix, that position is named as Placenta Previa or
sometimes it is also referred as low-lying placenta.
It can cause in bleeding prematurely and possible
postpartum hemorrhage.
Preeclampsia/ Eclampsia
In preeclampsia, blood pressure is induced at high
rate which as a result causes intense edema that is

swelling due to water retention. Preeclampsia

(toxemia) can mess up the functions of kidney and
liver. In US it is spreading at the rate of 5% of all
pregnancies. If preeclampsia makes its way to
eclampsia, it can eventually cause death for both
mother and fetus.
Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)
PROM is the splitting of the water bag i.e. amniotic
fluid which happens before contractions or
beginning of the labor. The critical situation in this
regard is considered as when the water bag breaks
itself before 37th week, causing momentous
leakage of amniotic fluid or amniotic sac infection.
For detail information, contact Dr. Asma Naqi who is
herself an expert specialist in this filed as is
teaching an online course to MRCOG candidates,
the course is not only for MRCOG but it is also
helpful for MRCPI candidates.