Emergency complications of labor and delivery.

The care of the pregnant patient presenting to the emergency department with labor or delivery complications requires an understanding of signs and symptoms of disease for the maternal and fetal patient. This article reviews management of common labor and delivery complications that may occur in the emergency department. The management of premature labor, premature rupture of the membranes, emergency delivery procedure, resolution of shoulder dystocia, prolapsed umbilical cord, and perimortem cesarean section are discussed.