Beyond the Baby: Managing Postpartum Emergencies in the Field   

Postpartum emergencies often include headache, eclampsia, infection, heart failure, and hypertension.  Failure to recognize and treat these conditions can lead to disastrous consequences for the patient, including stroke, permanent brain damage, or death.  This presentation will discuss the various types of emergencies to be aware of and how to manage these patients in the pre-hospital environment.   At the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

1. Identify the pathophysiology and presentation of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.

2. Discuss what an amniotic fluid embolism is.

3. Describe common types of postpartum emergencies.

4. Explain the etiology behind postpartum bleeding.