Trauma and surgical emergencies in the obstetric patient

Pregnancy always must be considered when evaluating a female trauma victim of reproductive age. When managing the pregnant trauma victim, one must optimize the well-being of two patients, but the health of the mother is of paramount importance. Rapid assessment, treatment, and transport are critical to optimizing maternal and fetal outcome. Evaluation must be performed with an understanding of the physiologic changes that occur in pregnancy. These changes alter maternal response to trauma and require adaptations to care.