Integrated Diagnostic Pathways In Maternal Care: Coordinated Roles Of Radiology, Laboratory Testing, Nursing Assessment, And Midwifery Care

Abstract

Maternal healthcare has undergone a substantial transformation from fragmented, discipline-specific practices toward integrated, multidisciplinary systems designed to improve early detection of complications and optimize outcomes for mothers and infants. Despite advances in obstetric medicine, maternal morbidity and mortality remain significant global concerns, with many adverse events attributable to delayed recognition of clinical deterioration, inadequate diagnostic evaluation, or poor coordination among healthcare professionals. Integrated diagnostic pathways—structured frameworks that combine radiological imaging, laboratory investigations, continuous nursing surveillance, and midwifery assessment—have emerged as essential mechanisms for delivering timely, evidence-based care across antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods.

Radiological modalities provide crucial anatomical and functional information regarding fetal development, placental integrity, and maternal pathology. Laboratory testing offers biochemical, hematological, immunological, and microbiological data necessary for diagnosing conditions such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, infection, anemia, and coagulopathy. Nurses contribute continuous monitoring and early warning systems capable of detecting subtle physiological deterioration, while midwives deliver holistic, woman-centered care emphasizing physiological childbirth while maintaining vigilance for complications. Effective maternal care depends on seamless integration of these disciplines through standardized protocols, communication pathways, and digital health technologies.

This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on coordinated diagnostic roles within maternal care, examines applications across the continuum of pregnancy, identifies barriers to implementation, and explores emerging innovations including point-of-care testing, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and precision obstetrics. Integrated diagnostic pathways represent a cornerstone of modern maternal healthcare and are essential for reducing preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide.