Trauma in pregnancy is a much more complex topic than simply, ’tilt them on their side’. Trauma in the obstetric patient is a leading cause of non-obstetric mortality. The complexity of the obstetric trauma scenario relates to: Alterations in maternal anatomy and physiology The sensitivity of the foetus to hypotension and hypoxia. Issues of radiation…
The Case It was a quiet Sunday afternoon in a small ED (sounds like the start to a bad story, doesn’t it?) I picked up the next chart…30-year-old, 13/40, light PV bleeding History – otherwise healthy 30 year old, no medications, G2P1, 13/40, light bleeding since yesterday, some cramping low abdominal pain, USS at 10/40…
Perimortem cesarian section is a rare and stressful procedure that must be performed in a timely fashion to give both the mother and foetus, the best chance for survival. Its rarity makes it something we must talk about, so that if any of us are faced with it, we know what to do. The fact that…
A 34 year old woman presents to the Emergency Department for the second time in 4 days. Her initial presentation was for diarrhoea and vomiting, some lower abdominal pain and bloating. She had felt better whilst in the waiting room on her initial presentation. There was no real past history except for being on IVF, the last cycle being 8 weeks ago. Her last known menstrual period was 4 weeks previously. The Urine -hCG was negative. She had been sent home, with instructions to represent if symptoms worsened.
She did so, following ongoing diarrhoea and worsening abdominal pain. She now also complained of right shoulder tip pain and all movements exacerbated her pain. Her heart rate was 130 and blood pressure was 120/90.[…]
