Lesson 1Point-of-care tests and interpretation: bedside FBC, bedside ultrasound (FAST/obstetric), blood gas, lactateThis lesson covers choosing and reading point-of-care tests for maternal emergencies, like full blood count, clotting checks, blood gas, lactate levels, and quick scans for bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, and fluid buildup.
Bedside FBC and platelet interpretationPOC coagulation surrogates and limitsArterial and venous blood gas analysisLactate trends and prognostic valueFAST and basic obstetric ultrasound useLesson 2Practical checklists and cognitive aids for first-10-minute stabilisation (mnemonics, handover templates)Here we introduce practical checklists, memory aids, and handover forms to manage the first ten minutes of maternal resuscitation, cut errors, ease mental load, and standardise talks among teams.
Designing a maternal emergency checklistABCDE and obstetric-specific mnemonicsUsing cognitive aids during simulationsStandardized handover templates (SBAR)Integrating checklists into local protocolsLesson 3Rapid drug administration: uterotonics, tranexamic acid dosing and timing, vasopressors (noradrenaline/epinephrine) in obstetric shockThis lesson details fast, safe giving of contraction drugs, tranexamic acid, and blood pressure boosters in birth-related shock, stressing doses, timing, warnings, checks, and fitting with other life-saving steps in various Namibian facilities.
First-line uterotonics and dosingTranexamic acid timing and regimensVasopressor choice in pregnancy shockTitration, monitoring, and side effectsDrug safety in breastfeeding and neonateLesson 4Rapid clinical recognition and classification of hypovolemic and shock statesClinicians learn to spot and sort low blood volume and shock types in pregnancy via history, checks, vital signs, and basic tests, to start right treatment early and call for higher help promptly.
Stages of hypovolemic shock in obstetricsDifferentiating septic and cardiogenic shockKey history and examination red flagsShock indices and bedside scoring toolsTriggers for escalation and transferLesson 5Establishing large-bore IV/IO access, fluid resuscitation strategies and crystalloids vs colloidsThis covers setting up big IV lines or bone access in shaky pregnant patients, picking fluids and amounts, salt solutions versus colloids, and matching revival to bleeding, infection, heart, or mixed shocks.
Selecting IV sites in pregnancyTechniques for rapid large-bore cannulationIndications and steps for IO accessCrystalloids vs colloids in obstetricsFluid responsiveness and overload signsLesson 6Immediate team communication, role assignment, and documentation in the first 10 minutesFocus on team talks, quick role picks, feedback loops, and live notes in the first ten minutes of maternal revival to boost teamwork, safety, and legal cover in busy Namibian wards.
Pre-arrival brief and role allocationClosed-loop and graded assertivenessRunning updates and shared mental modelReal-time charting and time stampingDebriefing and learning after eventsLesson 7Systematic ABCDE approach in obstetric hemorrhageApply ABCDE steps to birth bleeding, noting pregnancy body changes, airway and breath focus, blood flow control, brain checks, full exposure, and linking to final bleed stops.
Airway risks in late pregnancyBreathing assessment and oxygen targetsCirculation, bleeding control, and shockNeurologic status and glucose checksExposure, hypothermia, and hidden bleedingLesson 8Infection control, warming, and thermal management in shocked parturientsOutlines germ prevention, warming methods, and heat control for shocked birthing women, stressing avoiding cold, gear choices, and weaving into revival in Namibian conditions.
Hand hygiene and barrier precautionsAseptic technique for lines and proceduresActive and passive patient warmingMonitoring temperature and avoiding burnsEnvironmental control in emergency baysLesson 9Blood product management when supply is limited: transfusion thresholds, O-negative use, group & cross alternativesHandles smart blood use in shortages, transfusion limits, big bleed rules, O-negative and positive, group checks, and priorities during high demand in Namibian hospitals.
Transfusion thresholds in obstetricsMassive transfusion ratios and triggersSafe use of uncrossmatched O bloodGroup, screen, and crossmatch optionsPrioritizing products during shortagesLesson 10Vital signs monitoring: invasive and noninvasive options and interpretation in pregnancyReviews line and non-line checks in pregnancy like blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels, urine, artery lines, and pitfalls from normal pregnancy shifts.
Normal pregnancy vital sign rangesNoninvasive monitoring strengths and limitsIndications for invasive arterial linesUrine output and organ perfusionEarly warning scores for obstetrics
