[Maternal Emergencies: Methodically qualified - Conclusive Treatment]. / Mütterliche Notfälle: methodisch qualifiziert ­ schlüssig handeln.

ABSTRACT

Maternal emergencies can significantly affect the outcome of pregnancy and childbirth. Since obstetrical emergencies may happen at any time during pregnancy an emergency transport to a hospital nearby may not always be possible. So, obstetrical emergency-management may already become mandatory in a prehospital setting. Emergency teams attentiveness should not only focus pathological findings directly caused by pregnancy (premature/rash birth, preterm premature rupture of membranes, cord prolapse) but also look at health threats evolving coincidental to partuation (trauma, acute abdomen, uterine rupture, anaphylaxis). The obstetrically inexperienced emergency team coping with prehospital-inherent management limitations is to be sustained by concrete algorithms. Perinatal knowledge combined with clinical pragmatism determine the basis for emergency management systematically skilled - acting consistently.