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Chapter 18 - Acute Illness and Maternal Collapse

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 October 2025

Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London
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Summary

Acute Illness and Maternal Collapse is an important chapter for all healthcare professionals involved in maternity services. This chapter reviews physiological changes of pregnancy and applies these principles to recognition of maternal illness. Specific conditions that contribute to poor maternal outcomes are outlined together with a systematic approach to assessment and management of an unwell mother, including management of maternal/obstetric cardiac arrest. This chapter should enable clinicians to develop well-rounded and patient-centred skills in the recognition, assessment and management of an unwell mother.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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References

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