Perinatal risk management: obstetric methods to prevent birth asphyxia

Because obstetric care frequently is associated with the potential for liability, the purpose of this article is to familiarize the reader with perinatal risk management using the concept of foreseeability of harm and its potential application to obstetric care. At the same time, this article introduces the concept of notice, and explains the critical conduct intervals that are used to gauge how well the health care teams handle obstetric emergencies. The focus then shifts to incorporate these concepts into several maternal-child health quality management programs. It is hoped that this article will result in an improvement of perinatal outcome for pregnant women and their unborn children.