UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Ventilating the Obstetric Patient

Posted: 3/31/2009 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD (Updated: 11/22/2024)
Click here to contact Mike Winters, MBA, MD

Mechanical Ventilation of the Obstetric Patient

In previous pearls, we have discussed ventilatory settings to avoid excessive volumes and limit plateau pressures to < 30 cm H₂O
Importantly, these settings have not be extensively evaluated in pregnant patients
Some important pearls when ventilating the pregnant patient:
- Avoid hyperventilation, as this adversely affects uterine blood flow
- Optimize oxygenation to ensure adequate fetal oxygen delivery (us 100% F_iO₂)
- In the presence of adequate oxygenation, P_aCO_s values <= 60 mm Hg do not appear to be detrimental to the fetus

References

Lapinsky SE, Posadas-Calleja JG, McCullagh I. Clinical review: Ventilator strategies for obstetric, brain-injured, and obese patients. Crit Care 2009;13:206.