Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) and Basic Life Support in Obstetrics (BLSO) are multidisciplinary, team-based training programs designed to strengthen obstetric emergency preparedness and improve patient safety. Through a standardized, evidence-informed approach, these courses equip clinicians and birth attendants with practical skills to recognize and respond to high-risk obstetric emergencies, including:

•    Postpartum hemorrhage
•    Shoulder dystocia
•    Emergency breech delivery
•    Assisted vaginal delivery
•    Obstetric trauma
•    Maternal resuscitation
•    Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy

Rationale: Advancing Safety in Pregnancy and Childbirth
Maternal safety remains a critical global health priority. In 2015, approximately 303,000 people worldwide died from childbirth-related causes. In the United States, more than 3.6 million births occurred in 2021, with more than 80,000 adverse obstetric events reported. These data underscore the continued need for scalable, team-based training models that improve readiness, communication, and coordinated response during obstetric emergencies.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals call for reducing the global maternal mortality ratio from 216 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Although maternal mortality has increased overall in the United States, California has demonstrated improvement, a trend attributed in part to the implementation of patient safety bundles led by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC). This experience highlights the value of structured, system-based approaches to improving maternal outcomes.

Program Implementation
Since 2023, our team has delivered Global ALSO/BLSO training courses in Malawi and in underserved communities across the northern and southern regions of the Philippines. These courses have engaged obstetricians, family physicians, and midwives in a shared training model that promotes consistent clinical practice, interdisciplinary communication, and timely response to obstetric emergencies. By expanding access to standardized obstetric emergency training, the initiative supports local capacity building and contributes to broader efforts to improve maternal and newborn safety.
nthly lecture series and opportunities for weekend trips to Mexico. The residents will participate in the AAFP- sponsored Family Medicine Global Health Workshop. Additional CME opportunities will be provided and tailored to the resident’s interests.