Obstetrics & Childbirth (v2)

Course overview

Encountering a pregnant patient during an EMS call is common for many responders. But while contact with pregnant patients is frequent, it is less common for a prehospital provider to assist with delivery and resuscitation of an infant or post-partum care for a mother. The infrequency of this type of call, combined with the emotional high-stakes related to the outcome, makes many providers anxious when responding to a patient who is in labor. This program reviews the physiology of a pregnant patient; the birth process; the challenges a provider may encounter during labor and delivery; and the care a provider should be prepared to administer to a newborn.