Anesthesia and analgesia-related preferences and outcomes of women who have birth plans.

Introduction: This study described anesthesia and analgesia-related preferences and outcomes of women who used a birth plan for labor and birth.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted (N = 63). Data were abstracted from medical records, birth plans, and a follow-up survey.

Can parturients identify the midline during neuraxial block placement?

Study Objective: To determine whether parturients can reliably identify their midline during epidural or spinal needle insertion, and to determine whether parturient feedback helps the anesthesiologist successfully identify the midline.

Design: Survey instrument completed by anesthesiologists.

Setting: Labor and delivery unit of a university-based, tertiary-care hospital.

Postoperative conversion disorder in a pediatric patient.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV), conversion disorder is classified as a somatoform illness and defined as an alteration or loss of physical function because of the expression of an underlying psychological ailment. This condition, previously known as hysteria, hysterical neurosis, or conversion hysteria occurs rarely, with an incidence of 11-300 cases per 100,000 people (American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.

Factors influencing cesarean delivery operative times: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to determine the distribution of operative delivery times for uncomplicated parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery with neuraxial anesthesia. A secondary aim was to explore patient and surgical factors associated with longer cesarean delivery times.

Methods: A prospective observational study of 331 parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery with neuraxial anesthesia was conducted.

Anaphylactoid reaction to intravenous sodium ferric gluconate complex during pregnancy.

We report the first case of a severe anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction to sodium ferric gluconate complex in a pregnant patient. Sodium ferric gluconate complex is felt to be one of the safest forms of iron therapy during pregnancy. This case highlights the need for extreme caution and vigilance in pregnant patients receiving any type of parenteral iron therapy.