Management of obstetric emergencies: practices and challenges faced in hospitals and health units

Abstract

Obstetric emergencies represent critical challenges in maternal and child care, requiring a rapid response to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The effective management of these conditions depends on the implementation of evidence-based protocols, adequate infrastructure and continuous training of professionals. However, factors such as scarcity of resources, communication failures and overloaded services compromise the quality of care. The aim of this study is to gather and critically analyze the available scientific evidence on the management of obstetric emergencies, highlighting the practices adopted and the challenges faced in hospitals and health units. The methodology of this study is an integrative literature review, which followed methodological guidelines, addressing management practices and challenges of obstetric emergencies in hospitals and health units. The search took place in the PubMed, Scopus, LILACS and SciELO databases, using descriptors selected from DeCS and MeSH. Articles published in the last five years and available in Portuguese, English or Spanish were included, while studies that were not freely available, narrative reviews and editorials were excluded. Data analysis followed a thematic approach, categorizing the evidence identified. The results indicated that continuous training and the adoption of care protocols are fundamental for an efficient response to obstetric emergencies. However, difficulties in coordination between levels of care, shortage of supplies and the emotional impact on professionals still compromise the quality of care. This makes it essential to strengthen management strategies, invest in continuing education, optimize care flows and improve public policies to reduce risks and improve maternal and child outcomes.