Lesson 1Point-of-care tests and interpretation: bedside FBC, bedside ultrasound (FAST/obstetric), blood gas, lactateThis section covers selection and bedside interpretation of point-of-care tests in maternal emergencies, including full blood count, coagulation surrogates, blood gas, lactate, and focused ultrasound for haemorrhage, ectopic pregnancy, and free fluid.
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)This section introduces structured checklists, mnemonics, and handover tools to guide the first ten minutes of maternal resuscitation, reduce omissions, support cognitive load, and standardise communication across multidisciplinary 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 section details rapid, safe use of uterotonics, tranexamic acid, and vasopressors in obstetric shock, emphasising dosing, timing, contraindications, monitoring, and integration with other resuscitation measures in diverse clinical settings.
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 hypovolaemic and shock statesThis section trains clinicians to recognise and classify hypovolaemic and other shock states in pregnancy using history, examination, vital signs, and simple tests, guiding early targeted therapy and timely escalation of care.
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 section explains establishing large-bore IV and IO access in unstable obstetric patients, fluid choice and volumes, crystalloids versus colloids, and tailoring resuscitation to haemorrhage, sepsis, and cardiogenic or mixed shock states.
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 minutesThis section focuses on structured team communication, rapid role assignment, closed-loop interactions, and real-time documentation during the first ten minutes of maternal resuscitation to improve coordination, safety, and legal protection.
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 haemorrhageThis section applies the ABCDE framework to obstetric haemorrhage, highlighting pregnancy physiology, airway and breathing priorities, circulation control, disability assessment, exposure, and integration with definitive haemorrhage control.
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 parturientsThis section outlines infection prevention, active warming, and thermal management strategies for shocked pregnant and postpartum patients, emphasising hypothermia prevention, equipment options, and integration with resuscitation steps.
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 alternativesThis section addresses rational blood product use when supply is limited, including transfusion thresholds, massive transfusion principles, O-negative and O-positive use, group and screen strategies, and prioritisation during surges.
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 pregnancyThis section reviews invasive and noninvasive monitoring options in pregnancy, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, urine output, and arterial lines, and explains interpretation pitfalls due to normal gestational changes.
Normal pregnancy vital sign rangesNoninvasive monitoring strengths and limitsIndications for invasive arterial linesUrine output and organ perfusionEarly warning scores for obstetrics
