Postpartum collapse is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in both the developed and developing worlds. Although the most common causes of postpartum collapse are not confined to the immediate postpartum period, because of the rapid haemodynamic, hormonal and anatomical changes occurring at this time, there is an increased prevalence of these conditions. Postpartum collapse is the onset of shock in the immediate period following delivery of the fetus. In addition many women who collapse are known to show deterioration in their basic observations, temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and urine output. Diagnosis of the condition is suspected when patients collapse in labour or shortly after delivery with signs of central cyanosis, although confirmation of the diagnosis can be made on examination of lung tissue at postmortem, or on examination of blood films for the presence of squames or fetal hair.