This study addresses the balance by providing an illuminating picture of women's experiences of these traumatic events during childbirth. This qualitative study followed a phenomenological approach to highlight women's experiences of obstetric emergencies. Selection criteria was specifically aimed at women who had experienced one or more of the following types of emergencies during childbirth – cord prolapse, placental abruption, shoulder dystocia, uterine scar rupture, severe pre-eclampsia and major postpartum haemorrhage. Ten women were interviewed. They described their ‘lived experiences’ of the emergencies. Significant themes included issues around communication both verbal and non-verbal and the need to make sense of what had happened to them. The interviews provide a valuable insight into obstetric emergencies highlighting areas for improvement and also the positive aspects to care that women received during these events.