Emergency care obstetricians need to know of pre-existing medical conditions as they can lead to obstetrical complications.

The primary concerns are the preexisting conditions of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and substance abuse. All of these conditions may adversely affect the developing fetus and therefore, may complicate the delivery of the fetus and compromise the health of the mother and child.

There are a significant number of problems that may be classified as Obstetrical Emergencies. These emergencies include, but are not limited to the following: abortion, (spontaneous, threatened, inevitable, incomplete, criminal, therapeutic and elective), trauma, ectopic pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, abnormal deliveries (breech, prolapsed cord, limb presentation, and multiple births), bleeding during any trimester, complications of labor and delivery (antepartum hemorrhage, abruptio placenta, placenta previa, uterine rupture, uterine inversion, toxemia of pregnancy, pulmonary embolism and post-partum hemorrhage).

OB/GYN must obtain appropriate history related to event, (gravidity, parity, length of gestation, estimated date of delivery, prior C-sections, prior obstetrical or gynecological complications, bleeding, pain, vaginal discharge, LMP), Past Medical History, Medications, Drug Allergies, and Substance abuse.

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