Handbook of Obstetric High Dependency Care

Technological advances are furthering the level of care that is possible in the growing field of high dependency care in obstetrics, which increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome for both mother and baby. However, knowledge in this field of critical and high–dependency care is well behind the current state of the art, which can lead to missed opportunities and unnecessarily tragic outcomes. The authors are aware of the glaring gaps in knowledge and provide concise practical guidance, with flow charts and algorithms, to guide best practice in this important field. Dr Neville Robinson , Consultant Anaesthetist, Northwick Park Hospital, London Dr David Vaughan , Consultant Anaesthetist, Northwick Park Hospital, London Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran , Professor of Obstetrics, St George’s Hospital, London Table of Contents Preface. Contents. List of Boxes. Chapter 1: Morbidity and Mortality in the Parturient. Chapter 2: The Maternity High Dependency Unit. Chapter 3: Emergency Care. 3.1 Emergency Management of the Obstetric Patient – General Principles. 3.2 Maternal and Neonatal Resuscitation. Chapter 4: Clinical Problems. 4.1 Headache. 4.2 The Collapsed Patient. 4.3 Convulsions. 4.4 The Breathless Patient. 4.5 The Wheezy Mother. 4.6 Low Oxygen Saturation and Oxygen Therapy. 4.7 Understanding Arterial Blood Gases. 4.8 The Abnormal Chest X–Ray. 4.9 Chest Pain. 4.10 Abnormal Heart Rate, Rhythm or ECG Findings. 4.11 High Blood Pressure. 4.12 Low Blood Pressure. 4.13 Bleeding and Transfusion. 4.14 Rashes and Itching. 4.15 Temperature and Infection. 4.16 Abdominal Pain and Jaundice. 4.17 Management of pain on the maternity HDU. 4.18 Immobility and Thromboembolic Disease. 4.19 Abnormal Urine Output and Renal Function. 4.20 Fluid Therapy. 4.21 Abnormal Blood Results. 4.22 Anaphylaxis. 4.23 Local Anaesthetic Toxicity.