Some half a million women die annually across the world from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Approximately one-quarter of these deaths are caused by complications of the third stage of labour, mainly postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). In the developing world, the risk of maternal death from PPH is approximately one in 1000 deliveries. In the United Kingdom the risk of maternal death from obstetric haemorrhage is about 0.39 in 100000 deliveries.

The Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is one of the current hot topics embracing rheumatology and obstetrics.

The first clinical description of APS was in 1983. Venous or arterial thrombosis, abortion and cerebral manifestations along with circulating antibodies were the first described hallmarks of the syndrome. In the following years other clinical features, which include pregnancy complications, such as recurrent miscarriages (RM), pre-eclampsia or severe placental insufficiency were described.

Sepsis is associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although, it is not the major reason for intensive care unit admissions during pregnancy, several physiological changes that occur during pregnancy limit the ability of the pregnant woman to compensate for the derangements produced by severe sepsis, often resulting in severe organ dysfunction. Moreover, there are several disorders peculiar to the pregnant state, including preeclampsia, placental abruption, amniotic fluid embolism and postpartum haemorrhage, all of which can produce potentially life-threatening organ failure and may be present concurrently with sepsis contributing to maternal mortality. Evidence-based guidelines advocate assessment and monitoring aimed at early recognition and treatment of sepsis. Early goal-directed therapy, adequate blood glucose control, and corticosteroid replacement when indicated are improving outcomes in patients with severe sepsis, although most of these have not been validated in pregnancy.