Obstetric emergencies

A 34-year-old woman at 33 weeks in her third pregnancy, who smokes and has chronic hypertension, presents with two hours of constant severe abdominal pain that…

Pre-internship · middle twist

A 35-year-old woman at 35+2 weeks has had two episodes of painless vaginal bleeding, each settling with bed rest. Ultrasound shows placental tissue covering the…

Clinical rotations · middle twist

A 37-year-old woman at 37 weeks has a small amount of vaginal bleeding shortly after her membranes rupture. She remains haemodynamically stable, with no abdomin…

Clinical rotations · common

A 34-year-old woman is reviewed 18 hours after an emergency caesarean section complicated by a 1.6 L postpartum haemorrhage. The bleeding has been controlled fo…

Pre-internship · common

Nine days after a vaginal birth, a woman presents with recurrent bleeding, a temperature of 38.3°C and lower abdominal pain. The uterus is tender and larger tha…

Clinical rotations · middle twist

Immediately after delivery, a woman becomes pale and hypotensive and reports severe pelvic pain. A smooth, dark-red mass is visible at the introitus; the placen…

Clinical rotations · middle twist

A woman develops ongoing haemorrhage during an emergency caesarean section for uterine atony. After 3 units of red blood cells and 2 units of fresh frozen plasm…

Pre-internship · middle twist

Thirty-five minutes after a vaginal birth, the placenta has not separated and the woman has lost 900 mL of blood. The uterus is firm, the placenta is palpable a…

Clinical rotations · common

A 29-year-old woman has a 1.4 L haemorrhage after an uncomplicated vaginal birth. The placenta is complete and there is no vaginal or cervical tear. Despite ute…

Clinical rotations · middle twist

A 28-year-old primigravida gives birth vaginally at 38 weeks gestation. During labour she was commenced on oral labetalol for blood pressure readings of 160/108…

Clinical rotations · common

A 34-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 2, presents at 34 weeks gestation with two hours of constant severe abdominal pain and a small amount of dark red vaginal bl…

Clinical rotations · common