Problems in obstetric anaesthesia

The maternal population is changing due to maternal obesity, increasing maternal age, assisted fertility and improvements in medical care leading to women with complex conditions achieving pregnancy. This poses significant challenges for the obstetric anaesthetist. This review uses three hypothetical case scenarios to illustrate some of these issues. The multidisciplinary management of morbid obesity, aortic stenosis, and scoliosis in pregnancy is considered and discussed in depth, with a focus on the specific challenges which these conditions create for the obstetric anaesthetist. It illustrates the importance of good multidisciplinary team working and communication in achieving the safest possible outcome for such patients.