Lesson 1Point-of-care tests and interpretation: bedside FBC, bedside ultrasound (FAST/obstetric), blood gas, lactateThis lesson covers choosing and interpreting point-of-care tests for maternal emergencies, like full blood count, clotting checks, blood gas, lactate levels, and quick ultrasound scans for bleeding, ectopic pregnancies, and fluid buildup at the bedside.
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 lesson presents practical checklists, memory aids, and handover forms to manage the first ten minutes of maternal stabilisation, minimising errors, easing mental load, and ensuring clear communication among multidisciplinary teams in busy wards.
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 swift, safe giving of uterotonics, tranexamic acid, and vasopressors for obstetric shock, covering doses, timing, warnings, monitoring, and combining with other life-saving steps in various Zimbabwean clinical environments.
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 statesThis lesson trains clinicians to spot and classify blood loss and shock in pregnancy using patient history, checks, vital signs, and basic tests, to start targeted treatment early and call for higher help when needed.
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 lesson explains setting up wide IV lines or intraosseous access in unstable maternity patients, choosing fluids and amounts, comparing crystalloids and colloids, and matching resuscitation to bleeding, infection, heart, or mixed shock.
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 lesson stresses structured team talk, quick role allocation, feedback loops, and live note-taking in the first ten minutes of maternal resuscitation to boost coordination, safety, and legal safeguards.
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 hemorrhageThis lesson applies the ABCDE method to maternity bleeding, noting pregnancy body changes, airway and breathing first, circulation control, disability checks, full exposure, and linking to final bleeding 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 lesson covers preventing infections, active warming, and temperature control for shocked pregnant or new mothers, stressing avoiding low body heat, equipment choices, and fitting into 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 lesson tackles smart use of blood products in short supply, covering transfusion levels, massive bleed rules, O-negative and O-positive use, group and screen methods, and prioritising during high demand.
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 lesson reviews invasive and noninvasive ways to monitor vitals in pregnancy, like blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels, urine, and artery lines, and common misreads 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
