ABSTRACT
The pregnant state alters the maternal response to anesthetic drugs and induces changes in maternal physiology which may influence anesthetic response and risk. The fetus may also be affected, either directly by drugs which cross the placenta or indirectly secondary to altered maternal hemodynamic changes. Thus, anesthetic management for nonobstetric surgery has two driving forces: maternal safety and fetal preservation. This chapter explores how maternal physiologic changes influence the maternal pharmacologic response to anesthesia, and the anesthetic effects on the fetus.
