A review of obstetric anesthesia in the new millennium: where we are and where is it heading?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present article is an update on the state-of-the-art practice of obstetric anesthesia in the new millennium. It explores a number of important issues in this relatively new and still evolving subspecialty of anesthesiology.

RECENT FINDINGS

Obstetric anesthesia is a subspecialty of anesthesiology dedicated to peripartum, perioperative pain and anesthetic management of women during pregnancy and the puerperium. In the new millennium an obstetric anesthesiologist has become an essential member of the peripartum care team, who closely works with the obstetrician, perinatologist, midwife, neonatologist, and labor and delivery nurse to ensure the highest quality care for the pregnant woman and her child.

SUMMARY

Changes in maternal-fetal and neonatal medicine and obstetric anesthesia have been developing rapidly during the recent years and will continue to do so in the years to come. Obstetric anesthesia is art and science combined. An obstetric anesthesiologist is concerned simultaneously with the lives of at least two patients - the mother and her child. Exchange of information and communication skills in the ever changing environment of labor and delivery is essential for perfect outcome, which is always expected when providing passage for the mother and her baby from the antepartum to postpartum period.