Effect of Applying Emergency Obstetric Care Protocol on Maternity Nurses' Practices

Effect of Applying Emergency Obstetric Care Protocol on Maternity Nurses' Practices Obstetrical emergencies are life threatening medical condition that occurs during pregnancy, labor or the postpartum period. Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) is categorized as Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BEmOC) and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care [CEmOC].

Treatments within BEmOC include the administration of parenteral antibiotics, oxytocics and anticonvulsants, manual removal of the placenta, removal of retained products of conception and assisted vaginal delivery. Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC) includes all of these plus blood transfusion and cesarean section.

The World Health Organization (WHO), posits the following conditions as obstetrical emergencies, ectopic or tubal pregnancy, abruptio placenta, placenta previa, sever preeclampsia & eclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension, premature rupture of membranes, amniotic fluid embolism, inversion or rupture of uterus, placenta accreta, prolapsed umbilical cord, shoulder dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage and postpartum infection.

Globally, every year an estimated 287,000 women die of complications during pregnancy or childbirth. There are a variety of obstetrical emergencies of pregnancy that can threaten the well-being of both mother and newborn baby (WHO, 2019). Worldwide, obstetrical emergencies are the leading causes of maternal mortality particularly in developing countries where lack of transport facilities, financial constraints due to poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, inadequate health infrastructure and meager blood bank facilities.

Lack of nurse's knowledge and skills on how to recognize and manage obstetrical emergencies contribute to substandard institutional care and preventable maternal deaths. Many studies have shown that health workers lack for the knowledge and skills to provide good quality care.