Stemming the Tide of Obstetric Morbidity

Anesthesia and analgesia for childbirth have become remarkably safe and together account for fewer than 1 maternal death per million deliveries, representing a 75% decline from the corresponding rate in 1980.1,2 While maternal deaths from anesthesia are rare, anesthesia-related complications persist. Based on data from 30 North American institutions over a 5-year period, approximately 1 in 3000 anesthetics for delivery results in a serious complication of anesthesia, most commonly high neuraxial blockade or difficult intubation.3 Dural puncture, considered separately, complicated 0.7% of all neuraxial anesthetics.