Precipitous Delivery Masquerading as Biliary Colic in the Setting of Depo-Provera® Failure

Abstract

Precipitous delivery in the emergency department is a high-acuity, low-occurrence event that requires rapid recognition and interdepartment cooperation to prevent fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition of the peripartum state can be delayed by reported usage of long-acting contraception and concurrent distracting complaints. In this case report, a young female presented to the emergency department with epigastric abdominal pain in the setting of recent workup for biliary colic and multiple doses of long-acting, depot contraceptive agents. Early utilization of bedside ultrasound confirmed a full-term, intrauterine pregnancy as well as an impacted gallbladder stone, followed by a precipitous footling breech presentation that required an emergent cesarean section.