Anaesthesia | Obstetrics | Physiological Changes During Pregnancy

Physiological Changes During Pregnancy
Session Overview
Description
The relevant major physiological changes occurring during pregnancy are described from an anaesthetic perspective.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the most important physiological, pharmacological and anatomical differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women
• Describe the importance of these changes for anaesthesia

The changes that pregnancy induces in a mother's body are nothing short of extraordinary, as anyone with personal experience can testify. Labour and delivery impose further dramatic changes, and our services as anaesthetists are frequently called upon to provide anaesthesia or analgesia during this time. In addition, some of the commonest adult emergency surgical procedures are required in women in early pregnancy.

The knowledge gained in this session underpins the safe provision of anaesthesia and analgesia to these women.

The session focuses on the changes that are relevant to anaesthesia.