Antenatal anaesthetic assessment of the pregnant woman

While complex cases are usually seen at the obstetric anaesthetic clinic, all anaesthetists should be competent in making an anaesthetic assessment of the antenatal patient. Pregnant women can present to any hospital as emergencies and they may need to be anaesthetized for either non-obstetric surgery or for labour and delivery by non-specialists. The routine anaesthetic assessment of the pregnant woman is described in addition to the assessment and management of the more common challenges these patients can present to the anaesthetist.