Anesthesia in Obstetrics

Abstract

Both mother and fetus must be considered when selecting anesthesia for obstetric patients. Anesthesia has been listed as the fourth leading cause of maternal death, and since all anesthetic drugs except the muscle relaxants cross the placenta, the fetus is also at risk. This discussion considers the properties of cyclopropane, nitrous oxide, methoxyflurane, halothane, thiopental sodium, and trichloroethylene and their effects on mother and infant.