Abstract

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is exceedingly rare, incompletely understood and most catastrophic complications of pregnancy, the exact pathophysiology of which is still unknown. Passage of amniotic fluid into the maternal circulation was first reported by Meyer in 1926. Symptoms include dyspnea, hypotension, seizures, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), poor fetal prognosis. We report a case of a 31 year old primigravida who underwent a Cesarean Section because of fetal distress following prostin induction of labour at 40 weeks and 3 days of her pregnancy. During the surgery her hemodynamic and respiratory conditions were stable. Six hours post-operatively, she developed dyspnea, which further deteriorated and worsened rapidly. This report highlights the importance of monitoring a patient of post cesarean section and diagnostic facilities needed to suspect amniotic fluid embolism

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