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Chapter 15 - Intrapartum and Postpartum: Legal Commentary II

from Part II - INTRAPARTUM AND POSTPARTUM

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2010

John Patrick O'Grady ,
Martin L. Gimovsky ,
Lucy A. Bayer-Zwirello  and
Kevin Giordano
John Patrick O'Grady
Affiliation:
Tufts University, Massachusetts
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Summary

Pregnancy, labor, and delivery are associated with major physiologic changes that can decrease maternal reserves. Consequently, various techniques of analgesia and anesthesia can have profound effects on maternal physiology. Furthermore, obstetric pain management and operative obstetric anesthesia are recognized as secondary causes of neonatal respiratory depression. Improper management of labor is the common claim in obstetrical malpractice cases. Malpresentation and/or dystocia are some of the most fertile areas for medical negligence lawsuits. The clinician must be fully aware of the general predisposing factors to complications in the third stage of labor. Common postpartum complications include urinary tract problems, such as infections, urine retention, or incontinence. Obstetricians have long recognized the excessive perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with the breech-presenting fetus. Multiple gestations often pose intrapartum management problems. Emphasizing the shoulder dystocia was a true obstetric emergency, and greater emphasis was placed on team approach, including neonatal resuscitation.

Keywords

breech presentationcesarean deliveryintrapartum management problemspostpartum complicationsthird stage of laborshoulder dystociamultiple gestationsobstetric anesthesia
Type
Chapter
Information
Operative Obstetrics , pp. 370 - 392
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2008

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