Problems of Early Pregnancy
Abstract Obstetric disease of early pregnancy may result in significant maternal morbidity and even mortality. Safe care of patients with obstetric disease involves a thorough understanding of the physiologic changes…
Fetal and Neonatal Neurologic Injury
Abstract The detection and diagnosis of fetal and neonatal brain injury have been advanced by improvements in functional imaging and the identification of potential biochemical markers. Evidence indicates that inflammatory…
Anesthesia for Fetal Surgery and Other Intrauterine Procedures
Abstract Advances in prenatal diagnosis, imaging, and surgical equipment have all contributed to the development of fetal surgery. Some fetal abnormalities are amenable to intrauterine fetal surgery, but the majority…
Intrapartum Fetal Assessment and Therapy
Abstract Accurate fetal assessment in labor remains challenging despite the application of new technologies. An elevated cesarean delivery rate and persistent cases of fetal/neonatal neurologic injury indicate the need to…
Patient Safety and Team Training
Abstract In this chapter, methods of improved teamwork communication and collaboration, as well as issues related to medical errors, are reviewed, and solutions to enhance maternal safety are highlighted. Although…
Antepartum Fetal Assessment and Therapy
Abstract Obstetric care providers have two patients, the mother and the fetus. Although assessment of maternal health is relatively straightforward, assessment of fetal well-being is far more challenging. Several tests…
Fetal Physiology
Abstract Fetal life in utero differs significantly from postnatal life. The fetus relies completely on the mother and the placenta for basic metabolic needs such as nutrient delivery, gas exchange,…
The Placenta: Anatomy, Physiology, and Transfer of Drugs
Abstract The placenta is a critical organ of great importance to obstetric anesthesia. Revered by ancient cultures as “the seat of the external soul” or “the bundle of life,” the…
Uteroplacental Blood Flow
Abstract The uteroplacental circulation develops to provide the blood flow and delivery of oxygen and nutrients essential for growth and development of the fetus and placenta. Abnormalities in development are…
Physiologic Changes of Pregnancy
Abstract Marked anatomic and physiologic changes occur during pregnancy that allow the woman to adapt to the developing fetus and its metabolic demands. The enlarging gravid uterus places mechanical strain…
