Chapter 22: Helping a woman after a pregnancy ends early
Shock
If a woman has a serious infection or bleeds heavily, she may go into shock.
Wa r nin g s ig n s
• She feels faint, dizzy, weak, or confused.
• She is pale and has a cold sweat.
• Fast pulse, over 100 beats a minute.
• Fast breathing.
• Dropping blood pressure.
• Sometimes loss of consciousness.
Get medical help fast. You must treat the shock first to save her life. Then follow
the directions earlier in this chapter to stop her bleeding or infection.
On the way to a medical center:
• Have the woman lie with
her feet higher than her
head, and her head
turned to one side.
• Give her fluids. If she is conscious, she can drink water or
rehydration drink (see page 160). If she is not conscious, you can give her
rectal fluids (see page 342) or an IV if you know how (see page 350).
• If she is unconscious, do not give her anything by mouth — no
medicines, drink, or food.
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A Book for Midwives (2010)