Sepsis that occurs in the context of pregnancy is associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality. International and multidisciplinary organizations have advocated for expedient diagnosis and initiation of treatment in patients with sepsis. However, the physiologic changes of pregnancy complicate both identification and treatment of maternal sepsis. This article describes a case of a woman presenting with symptoms of sepsis progressing to septic shock. Strategies for identifying and treating women with presumed sepsis are reviewed, and recent data regarding maternal and fetal outcomes are discussed.
Keywords: appendicitis; pregnancy; sepsis; septic shock.
© 2018 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.