Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics

Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) is a program developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). This course helps physicians, certified nurse midwives (CNM), OBGYN Registered Nurses, and other health care providers involved in potential emergencies in perinatal care of mothers. This course is important and even required in some hospitals for family practice physicians and well as a learning tool in most family practice residencies.^[1] ALSO was developed at University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine by Dr. Damos and John W. Beasley M.D.^[2]

ALSO helps in the management and to help with morbidity and mortality of both the mother and baby. ALSO does this by incorporating both didactic and practical, hands on workstations with lifelike mannequins.^[3] Topics include assisted vaginal delivery, Doppler fetal monitoring, fetal dystocias, neonatal resuscitation, management premature labor, management of postpartum hemorrhage, along with Forceps and vacuum assisted delivery. ALSO concludes, and to become certified in ALSO, you must successful pass a written test as well as a practical hands on case management of a birth (mega-delivery) incorporating many elements learned throughout the course.

ALSO helps serve the same function as advanced trauma life support (ATLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) to help keep physicians who work with rural or underserved populations up to date on evidence-based medicine and curriculum.^[2]

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