Obstetric Emergencies

Stephanie Baltaji1, Shaun F Noronha, Samir Patel

  • 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Drs Baltaji and Patel); and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Drs Noronha and Kaura).

Human gestation and birthing result in many deviations from usual physiology that are nonetheless normal to be seen. However, on occasion, certain complications in the obstetric patient can be life-threatening to both mother and fetus. Timely recognition of these disorders and allocation of the appropriate resources are especially important. These conditions often require an intensive care unit admission for closer monitoring and supportive care. They can affect an array of physiological systems and can lead to significant morbidity. Such complications are discussed in greater detail in this article.

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