Emergencies in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Obstetrics and gynecology as a speciality is unique in the sense that childbirth itself is most often an unpredictable event both in onset and progress. This book has been framed as a modest attempt to address the common and a few uncommon clinical emergencies which arise in the practice of our speciality. This practical portable and affordable book will serve as your rapid reference in the office or emergency room. It attempts to put into print the teaching and practice of an obstetrics and gynecological emergency department. Each chapter focuses on diagnosis and management and includes flow charts. For postgraduate students the topics require to be presented in a manner that would interest them and also enable them to understand the rationale for treatment adopted. For the practitioner there is a clear-cut presentation of diagnosis and treatment so that on being confronted by an emergency he is equipped to select a suitable line of treatment. With experience a specialist does not need detailed guidance only a refreshing of those parts of knowledge which often the busy schedule of clinical practice does not allow; the beginner however can benefit from a guiding hand. Chapters are organized and written with the main purpose of guiding the clinician quickly and accurately from presenting signs and symptoms to differential diagnosis organized into three main sections (general obstetrics and gynec). We have tried to keep a practical and comprehensive approach to each topic. To keep the book concise some topics such as cesarean section abortions instrumental delivery etc have not been included as much has already been written in many other textbooks. An effort has been made to include specialists from allied fields of medicine such as anesthesia general medicine and orthopedics to provide their opinion and approach to an obstetric patient in their speciality. Some aspects are covered in detail like anesthesia USG and medico legal part especially related to emergency which is not often available elsewhere. Each resulting chapter reflects a wide range of acceptable treatment modalities for each emergency situation and there may be honest differences of opinion in treatment from the readers which are welcome. To our seniors colleagues and friends who have contributed chapters time and effort we are most grateful. We also appreciate the patience forbearance and cooperation of the publisher Mr. Pawaninder P. Vij Director Peepee Publishers and Distributors (P) Ltd. New Delhi without whose help this book perhaps would never have been written. We sincerely hope that this book will provide help for early diagnosis and treatment of emergency situations and will help the readers to manage appropriately an even greater variety of emergencies than they have earlier managed.