Pregnancy and birth
Common obstetric risk categories and the system capabilities that matter in emergencies.
Obstetric risks (pregnancy and birth)
Pregnancy is a physiologic stress test. Most pregnancies go well, but risk varies by age, prior history, multiple gestation, fertility treatment, chronic disease, and access to timely emergency care.
Common risk categories
Maternal
- Hypertension / pre-eclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Hemorrhage
- Thrombosis
- Infection
Fetal / neonatal
- Preterm birth
- Growth restriction
- Congenital anomalies
- Birth asphyxia (rare, serious)
- Neonatal infection
System factors that matter
- Access to emergency C-section 24/7
- Blood bank and massive transfusion pathway
- Neonatal resuscitation and NICU capability
- Clear escalation and transfer plans
This is educational: individual obstetric risk needs clinician input, particularly with prior complications or medical conditions.