ABSTRACT
Pregnant women have a unique physiology compared with the general population. After the first trimester, they are at increased risk for aspiration of gastric contents, have decreased oxygen reserve, and are much more likely to be difficult to intubate than a nonpregnant woman. Maternal mortality associated with general anesthesia is estimated at approximately 32/1,000,000 live births, versus 1.9/1,000,000 live births for neuraxial analgesia (1).
