Obstetric anaesthesia for major interventions

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of women undergoing surgical intervention to facilitate birth or in the immediate postnatal period. This review describes the types of anaesthesia employed for various obstetric interventions, including caesarean birth, assisted vaginal birth, repair of a perineal tear and manual removal of placenta. It provides a comparison between the different techniques used within obstetric anaesthesia and discusses the principles of the decision-making process when selecting a specific anaesthetic technique. An understanding of the factors influencing the anaesthetic and an appreciation of the potential anaesthetic risks and complications is key for those involved in caring for women undergoing an obstetric surgical procedure.