Preface

Substandard care is often due to ‘too little being done too late’, especially whilst managing emergencies during antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum periods. Failure to recognise warning symptoms and signs of complications, lack of knowledge and skills, failure to seek appropriate experienced or multi-disciplinary input, as well as failures in team working and effective communication, contribute to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

The book aims to promote evidence-based emergency obstetric and neonatal care both in well-resourced and less well-resourced countries. We have attempted to include ‘practical algorithms’ for quick reference, a scientific basis for proposed actions for obstetric and intrapartum emergencies and illustrations, where appropriate. In recognition of the fact that over 90% of women die in less well-resourced countries with limited resources, we have included a section on ‘Suggested management in low resource settings’. In addition, ‘Key facts’, ‘Pearls’ and ‘Pitfalls’ are included for easy reference.

Pregnancy and childbirth should be a safe and rewarding experience for women and their families, as well as for maternity healthcare providers. However, it is estimated that globally over 300 000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth every year, largely due to substandard care. Even in the United Kingdom, the latest Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths Report suggests that substandard care may contribute to approximately 70% of all maternal deaths.