Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology
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The management of the unconscious pregnant patient encompasses many aspects of obstetrics and critical care. It is not uncommon to have to manage such a patient, therefore one needs to be well prepared. There is a spectrum of altered consciousness, brain death being the most extreme. ⋯ A multidisciplinary approach would be prudent. The intermediate and long-term management should also involve the family. The issues of perimortem and somatic support for foetal maturity are also discussed.
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Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol · Jun 2009
Severe acute maternal morbidity in high-income countries.
Maternal mortality in high income countries has become low in recent years and therefore analysis of severe acute maternal morbidity has been added to confidential enquiries into the causes of maternal deaths. The major drawback at the moment is the lack of universal definitions of severe acute maternal morbidity. ⋯ Audit is the instrument to analyse whether substandard care factors are present. Guidelines and protocols to provide obstetric critical care may be improved from audit findings and skills and drills training put in place.