Body Mass Index and Abdominal Circumference: Their Correlation with Sensory Level Achieved during Spinal Anaesthesia for Caesarean Section

Abstract

In an area of anaesthetic practice with high medico-legal liability, Obstetric anaesthesiologists strive to make childbirth, including caesarean delivery, safer and less painful. Ante-partum complications of obesity may largely account for higher cesarean delivery rate. Maternal obesity itself influences the route of delivery, independent of co-morbid conditions. Obese pregnant women have increased morbidity & mortality associated with caesarean delivery and general anaesthesia for caesarean delivery in particular, especially in the emergency setting. This awareness, together with a reported safety of regional anaesthesia, was responsible for the move towards more use of regional anaesthesia for caesarean section. Regional anaesthesia for caesarean section allows the parturient to be awake to enjoy the birthing experience, significantly lowers estimated maternal blood loss, causes less drowsiness, nausea and respiratory depression, and