Anaesthetic considerations in high-risk pregnancy

The pathophysiology, and principles of obstetric and anaesthetic management, of two high-risk situations have been reviewed. Information sources related to two additional problems are provided. The encouraging decline witnessed in perinatal morbidity and mortality in recent years, stems from multidisciplinary team care in tertiary centres. The obstetric anaesthetist who understands the pathophysiology of high-risk pregnancy, and the principles which underlie patient management, becomes an irreplaceable member of such perinatal care teams.