Maternal morbid obesity and anesthesia management

Abstract

Obesity and pregnancy are both factors that complicate anesthesia management; when the two factors are combined as in the case of obese pregnant women, this creates difficult challenges for anesthesiologists and obstetricians. The most effective way to address this is to prepare for a cooperative effort between all medical personnel that involves strategic obstetric anesthesia management for an obese pregnant woman before labor begins. All involved must understand the physiological changes and the necessary application of anesthesia skills for labor pain relief, both for scheduled and emergency caesarean sections. This review article introduces the various methods of anesthesia used for obese pregnant women.