Pregnancy problems

This month I’ll start the primary survey with two related papers from Battaloglu and Porter on the management of severely injured or ill pregnant patients.

For the most seriously unwell pregnant patients, such as those in cardiac arrest, I think it’s fair to say that the prospect of performing a hysterotomy in the resuscitation of a pregnant woman is terrifying to many clinicians. This month Battaloglu and Porter take us through the evidence for when, who, and how we can mentally prepare for the terrible day when we might be called to act. If you’re in a position where you may have to do this then prepare now. Read the article and mentally prepare for a day that will hopefully never come.

In a similar vein we are publishing a Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care Consensus guideline on the management traumatic pregnant and obstetric complications. Much of this will also be relevant to those of us who prefer the warmth and light of the emergency department too as the …