• Table of Contents
• Arteriovenous Malformations

    XXII. Pregnancy

       A. Airway

            1. Pregnant women should always be considered to
               have a full stomach after the first trimester.
               The gravid uterus increases intraabdominal
               pressure, and therefore intragastric pressure.
               Gastric emptying is delayed, and the pH of
               gastric contents is decreased as a result of
               hormonal influences.  They are therefore more
               likely to aspirate, and the resulting chemical
               pneumonitis will be more severe.

            2. Pregnant women should also be considered to
               have a difficult airway.  The oropharynx may be
               edematous, and the large breasts may present a
               mechanical obstruction to laryngoscopy.