OB Adverse Events

As part of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth's Partnership for Patients Program, we are actively seeking ways to prevent adverse obstetrical events, or complications associated with childbirth.

Sometimes complications during labor and delivery are unavoidable, however some estimates suggest that up to 30% are preventable. Our task is to identify these preventable complications and establish guidelines to limit their occurrence.

The specific outcomes we are trying to limit include severe obstetrical lacerations (third and fourth degree lacerations), unindicated preterm delivery, primary Cesarean births and fetal distress associated with pitocin stimulated labor.