Obstetric Anesthesia Glossary

Abnormally adherent placenta requiring multidisciplinary surgical approach and intensive anesthetic management.

Compression of major blood vessels by the gravid uterus when the pregnant patient lies supine, causing hypotension and r...

Maternal hypotension and reduced cardiac output caused by compression of the inferior vena cava and aorta by the gravid...

Standardized assessment tool used to evaluate newborn condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, scoring five physiologic...

Preventive measures to reduce gastric content acidity and volume, minimizing pulmonary aspiration risk during obstetric...

Inadvertent puncture of an epidural blood vessel during needle insertion, resulting in blood aspiration through the cath...

Fetal positioning with buttocks or feet presenting first, affecting delivery method and anesthetic planning.

A standardized scale (0-3) used to assess the degree of motor blockade in the lower extremities following neuraxial anes...

Long-acting local anesthetic commonly used in obstetric neuraxial anesthesia, known for its duration and potential cardi...

A synthetic prostaglandin F2α analog used to treat postpartum hemorrhage from uterine atony.

Continuous electronic monitoring of fetal heart rate and uterine contractions, essential for assessing fetal well-being...

A surgical procedure involving placement of sutures around the cervix to prevent cervical incompetence and preterm deliv...

Short-acting ester local anesthetic used in obstetric anesthesia for its rapid onset and metabolism, particularly useful...

Infection of the amniotic fluid and membranes that affects anesthetic management and fetal well-being.

A disorder of blood clotting that affects the safety of neuraxial anesthetic procedures.

Administration of colloid solutions before spinal anesthesia to prevent maternal hypotension. Less commonly used than cr...

Manual pressure applied to the cricoid cartilage to compress the esophagus and prevent aspiration during intubation.

Combined spinal-epidural technique that provides rapid onset anesthesia with the flexibility of continuous dosing.

A specific area of skin innervated by a single spinal nerve root, used to assess the level and extent of neuraxial block...

An intentional technique where the dura is deliberately punctured with an epidural needle, followed by epidural catheter...

Abnormal widening or ballooning of the dural sac, which may complicate neuraxial anesthesia administration and increase...

Inadvertent or intentional piercing of the dura mater during neuraxial procedures.

Mechanical compression of the dural sac during pregnancy due to increased intra-abdominal pressure and vascular engorgem...

A 50:50 mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen used for labor analgesia and procedural pain relief.