Pregnancy and childbirth are natural processes, but sometimes complications do occur. While complications of pregnancy are uncommon, paramedics must be able to recognize these complications, which may be life-threatening to the mother or baby, and manage them effectively. This module deals with the pregnancy and childbirth process and its related complications.

Most deliveries in the out-of-hospital setting occur without complications. However, emergency deliveries can present a number of challenges to the paramedic. The risk of death or serious neurological injury is much greater when a child is born after a spontaneous, out-of-hospital delivery compared to a controlled, in-hospital delivery. Care given in the first few minutes after birth may have a significant impact on future quality of life. This module discusses the assessment and management of the normal newborn; resuscitation of distressed neonates; and management of common problems encountered in infants during the first month of their lives.