The differentials for maternal collapse are broad. Classifying them can be helpful.
Obstetric
- Preclampsia
- Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE)
- Major obstetric haemorrhage
- Placental abruption
- Uterine rupture or inversion
- Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Non-obstetric
- Intracranial bleed
- Aortic dissection
- Massive pulmonary embolism
- Air embolism
- Severe septic shock
- Congestive cardiac failure
Anaesthesia/treatment related
- Intrathecal epidural catheter and high spinal block
- Local anaesthetic toxicity
- Anaphylaxis
- Transfusion reaction
