In Jan’s case(see case study), early recognition and intervention
within the first phase probably saved her life.
There are many factors that may increase a
woman’s risk of developing amniotic fluid embolism,
including:
llMaternal age greater than 35 years
llMultiple pregnancy
ll Polyhydramnios
ll Cervical laceration
ll Uterine rupture
ll Strong uterine contractions
llMedical augmentation of labour
ll Caesarean or instrumental delivery
ll Placenta praevia
ll Placental abruption
ll Artificial rupture of membranes
ll Insertion of uterine catheter
ll Periods of raised intra-amniotic pressure
(e.g. termination of pregnancy)
ll Eclampsia
ll Fetal distress (Coates, 2009; Conde-Agudelo
and Romero, 2009; Tuffnell, 2008; Kramer
et al, 2006).
These ‘risk factors’ could apply to many women of
childbearing age, covering many of the factors that
complicate pregnancy and birth and interventions
that are carried out regularly in clinical practice. Jan
displayed three of the aforementioned risk factors:
increased maternal age, medical augmentation of
labour and artificial rupture of membranes.