Medical

Pregnancy airway

Before / During / After / Pitfalls

Before

• High aspiration/desaturation risk; preoxygenate well and position with left uterine displacement if viable gestation.
• Prepare smaller tube, suction, difficult airway backup, OB/anesthesia/neonatal resources.
• Treat preeclampsia/eclampsia physiology and hemodynamics.

During

• Minimize apnea; suction ready; cricoid use per local practice and operator judgment.
• Avoid hypotension/hypoxia.
• Confirm placement quickly and secure.

After

• Coordinate OB/neonatal/ICU pathway.
• Ventilate and sedate with maternal-fetal context.
• Document airway difficulty and medications.

Pitfalls

• Underestimating rapid desaturation.
• No suction/aspiration plan.
• No obstetric coordination.