This book will serve as a pocket guide, offering rapid advice on appropriate emergency care for a wide range of obstetric situations, including acute fetal hypoxia, uterine rupture, shoulder dystocia, eclampsia, amniotic fluid embolism, pulmonary thromboembolism, retention of the aftercoming head, major postpartum hemorrhage, and uterine inversion. For each emergency, the definition, diagnosis, and recommended management strategy are reviewed from a pan-European perspective.

Regular review and training in obstetric emergencies is the only effective way to develop and maintain clinical competence in these rare and life-threatening situations, thus improving their management and the resulting outcomes. Healthcare professionals will find this book offers a practical and reliable source of information for dealing with dangerous and acute complications of pregnancy and childbirth.

DIOGO AYRES-DE-CAMPOS, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor at the University of Porto Medical School, and Senior Consultant at S. Joao Hospital in Porto, Portugal.

He is a Council Member of the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynecology EBCOG, and coordinator of the EBCOG Part 2 Exam Evaluation of clinical skills. Prof. Ayres-de-Campos is also an Executive Board member of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine EAPM and a member of its study group on intrapartum monitoring. 

 Since 2010 he has worked to integrate the Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health committee at the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology FIGO, where he coordinated the 2015 revision of the FIGO guidelines on intrapartum fetal monitoring. Prof. Ayres-de-Campos is currently (2016) engaged in the World Health Organization consensus panels for Recommendations on antenatal care and Intrapartum care and reduction of unnecessary caesarean section. 

He is Secretary General of the Portuguese Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology FSPOG, coordinator of obstetric simulation at the Portuguese College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and presides over the National Commission for Reduction of Cesarean Section Rates, having been nominated by the Portuguese Ministry of Health.

 Prof. Ayres-de-Campos has authored 97 international papers and 59 book chapters, and has edited 4 books.

Introduction.- Acute fetal hypoxia (including umbilical cord prolapse).- Uterine rupture and major placental abruption.- Shoulder dystocia.- Eclampsia.- Retention of the aftercoming head.- Maternal cardio-respiratory arrest.- Amniotic fluid embolism .- Pulmonary thromboembolism .- Major obstetric haemorrhage.- Simulation-based training of obstetric emergencies.