Medical

Pregnancy / perimortem airway

Before / During / After / Pitfalls

Before

• Pregnancy increases aspiration risk, edema risk, and oxygen consumption; preoxygenation matters.
• Left uterine displacement/positioning and obstetric/neonatal help early when applicable.
• Plan smaller tube, suction, and backup oxygenation/rescue airway.

During

• Minimize apnea; use skilled operator and clear backup plan.
• Avoid repeated traumatic attempts in edematous airway.
• If maternal arrest/late pregnancy, follow perimortem/resuscitative hysterotomy pathway per local protocol.

After

• Reassess oxygenation, BP, obstetric status, and fetal considerations when relevant.
• ICU/OB/anesthesia handoff.
• Document tube depth/confirmation and aspiration precautions.

Pitfalls

• Underestimating rapid desaturation.
• No aspiration/suction plan.
• No OB/anesthesia/neonatal mobilization.