Emergencies in operative obstetrics

Among all the emergency situations which may arise across the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, there are a small number which call for urgent practical steps to be taken in order to safeguard the life of the mother or the baby or both. The three such complications dealt with in this chapter consist of one prior to delivery—prolapse of the umbilical cord; one during delivery—shoulder dystocia; one following delivery—acute inversion of the uterus. All of the above require prompt action by well-trained staff and may involve the active and efficient co-operation of a range of different health care professionals. It is critically important that staff are fully aware of the procedures to be followed and the chain of command which will ensure that they are followed as efficiently and successfully as possible.