TEAM MANAGEMENT IN OBSTETRIC EMERGENCIES

Introduction
1. In the midst of the chaos an obstetric emergency often creates, it is easy to miss something crucial. This always happens when those present are trying to do their best for the mother, but in an uncoordinated fashion.

2. Medical professionals are trained and skilled to handle emergencies but as these situations are uncommon, the flow of the process of managing the mother becomes sub-optimal.

3. When a multidisciplinary team of professionals work together in a coordinated fashion, the outcome for mother and baby has been shown to improve.

4. This multidisciplinary team should involve all levels of staff, from the consultants, the midwives and even support staff.

5. The advantages of having an effective team are:
a. Improvement in mother's safety.
b. Reduction of medical errors.
c. Reduction of mental and physical fatigue.
d. Overall improvement in mother's experience.