Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Trauma during pregnancy is a unique situation. Understanding injury patterns, anatomic and physiologic changes, and the initial approach to resuscitation is essential for all emergency nurses. Maternal resuscitation is the only means of fetal resuscitation. ⋯ In the rare event of maternal arrest, a postmortem cesarean section may be lifesaving for the infant. Policies should be formulated jointly by ED, obstetric, and neonatal staffs in advance to speed this difficult decision-making process. The keys to survival, for both mother and infant, are an organized approach to resuscitation and teamwork among all professionals.