Acute hypotension related to hemorrhage in the obstetric patient.

Acute hypotension in the setting of hemorrhage most often signifies abrupt and dangerous blood loss. The physiologic changes of pregnancy are designed to protect the mother from blood loss at parturition. When this protective reserve is exceeded, hypovolemic shock occurs. Ideally, blood loss of this magnitude should not be allowed to occur. Notwithstanding, obstetric hemorrhage continues to be an important cause of maternal mortality. Most deaths due to hemorrhage are preventable. Successful treatment requires that the clinician must react with the immediate institution of effective resuscitative measures. The importance of an organized, team approach with input from relevant specialties in the scheme of management cannot be overemphasized.