About this episode

This episode discusses the critical nature of postpartum care and the dangers of amniotic fluid embolism, emphasizing the importance of treating the mother first in emergencies.

A postpartum patient does not need to look dramatic to be in real danger. In this episode from FAST 26, Ross talks with Amy Loucks about pregnancy-related deaths, maternal care deserts, postpartum warning signs, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, infection, and the calls EMS can easily miss. Then Elizabeth Garchar walks through amniotic fluid embolism, now often framed as an anaphylactoid reaction of pregnancy: sudden cardiovascular collapse, right heart failure, DIC, TXA, whole blood, AOK, and the principle that matters most when everything goes bad: treat mom first. Interested in the Loud & Clear Fellowship? Sign up for a free coaching call to learn more. Sign up for a weekly newsletter The Confidence Dispatch for EMS performance tips delivered straight to your inbox. Episode Resources- CDC: Preventing pregnancy-related deaths — https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html Amniotic fluid embolism overview — https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15463-amniotic-fluid-embolism AOK regimen for amniotic fluid embolism — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9477128/ https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/…

More episodes of Loud & Clear: EMS Guiding Principles - Advanced Continuing Education for Paramedics, EMTs & Prehospital Care Providers

• What the Evidence Really Says About Cervical Collars with Dr. Jeff Jarvis and Dr. Ben Abo · July 20, 2026 · 1h 16m
• The Three Building Blocks of Trust in EMS · July 13, 2026 · 1h 9m
• The Skill Is Not The Hard Part · June 29, 2026 · 30 min

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