pre-hospital C-section

[Bjorn, Pret]

The gravid uterus is the first organ sacrificed in the shock response cascade.  By the time mom is symptomatic, the fetus has been abandoned by her struggle for homeostasis: God and/or Darwin would rather she live to rejoin the herd than die for the sake of her unborn child.  All of which suggests that with regard to perimortem C-section, the mess-to-success ratio is stultifying.

Where mom is undeniably dead, you can at least claim to be doing no (physical) harm; but then you're stuck for an indication to justify her evisceration.  In all other cases, a proper retrospective review may rightly contend that you were treating the wrong patient without proper training or direction.  What kind of back-up employment do you have?

The goals are earnest and admirable, but nonetheless delusional.  Focus on mom's vital signs, make for a trauma center, and prepare for disappointment.

Sorry.  Heroic motives are no substitute for critical thinking.

Pret Bjorn, RN
Bangor, ME USA

  

-----Original Message-----
From: trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org [mailto:trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org] On Behalf Of David Sullivan
Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 3:18 PM
To: Trauma &amp, Critical Care mailing list
Subject: pre-hospital C-section

Hello List,
   
  I was sittting around the fire station at work, and one of my co-workers brought up an argument that we all had differing opinions on. Is there any reading out there about the pre-hospital c-section on a pregnant female that has injuries incompatable with life? ie decapitation, major trauma ect..has anyone on this list ever run into a situation like that or similar. i do this is far fetched, but it must have happened somewhere?
   
  dave sullivan BA NREMT-P

 		
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