ABSTRACT
The sign of compensatory mechanisms indicative of deteriorating health is required to address health problems early and avert serious morbidity and mortality. Some priorities will vary, such as the midwife being more likely to look for bleeding and assess uterine contraction in a postnatal woman as precedence to other assessments apart from airway and level of consciousness. A quick assessment of airway, breathing, circulation and level of consciousness (ABCD) is fundamental to midwifery assessment. The simple pneumonic ABC was originally used for assessment of collapse in the context of the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An extended version is now advocated as a structured approach to identify early signs of deterioration. Assessments of heart and respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, level of consciousness and other observations should be recorded on a Modified early obstetric warning system (MEOWS) chart and triggers noted. The aim of MEOWS is to identify serious illness early and activate appropriate referral and management.
