A code blue in pregnancy indicates a medical emergency where the pregnant patient exhibits unresponsiveness, apnoea (cessation of breathing), and the absence of a carotid pulse. In such critical situations, a multidisciplinary maternal code blue team must be activated immediately.
Maternal Code Blue: Key Considerations
During a code blue situation in a pregnant patient, Basic Life Support (BLS) protocols require special adaptations due to the physiological changes and the presence of the fetus.
| Aspect | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Identification | Detection of unresponsiveness, apnoea, and absence of carotid pulse. |
| Activation | Immediate activation of the multidisciplinary maternal code blue team. |
| Documentation | Accurate documentation of the time of cardiac arrest. |
BLS in Pregnancy Requires Special Attention:
- Prioritize maternal resuscitation while considering fetal well-being.
- Manual left uterine displacement is crucial to relieve aortocaval compression and improve venous return.
- Early involvement of obstetric and neonatal specialists.
