The Effect of Epidural Opioids on Maternal Oxygenation During Labour and Delivery

s of free papers presented at the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association: Basel 265 epidural bupivacaine infusions does indeed increase the incidence of maternal hypoxaemic episodes during the second stage of labour. The higher inci- dence of hypoxaemia in the active phase compared with the passive phase may result from breath- holding while pushing. The fentanyl group may push harder or respiratory drive between pushing may be diminished. We have found no evidence that this degree of hypoxia is harmful to the baby. References 1. Deckardt R, Fembacher P M, Schneider K T M, Graeff H. Maternal arterial oxygen saturation during labor and delivery: Pain-dependent alterations and effects on the newborn. Obstetrics & Gynecology 1987; 70: 21-25. 2. Huch A, Huch R, Schneider H, Rooth G. Continuous transcutaneous monitoring of fetal oxygen tension during labour. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1977; 84 (Supp. 1): 1-39. 3. Griffin R P, Reynolds E Maternal hypoxaemia during labour and delivery: the influence of analgesia and effect on neonatal outcome. Anaesthesia 1995; 50: 151-156. FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association (OAA) 11-12 April 1996 Glasgow, UK Call for papers Abstracts (3 copies) should be submitted on one side of a single sheet of A4 paper with a 1.5 inch margin down the left hand side. The title of the work, the authors, institution and address should be given at the head of the page. Conventional titles (introduc- tion, methods, results, conclusion, references) are advisable. References should conform to the style of the International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. Please state if you have a preference for oral or poster presentation. If you wish your abstract to be considered for inclusion in the International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia, please send an additional copy double spaced. The abstract should not be published else- where, but this does not preclude publication as a full paper at a later date. Contact: OAA Registration, PO Box 3219, London SW13 9XR, UK. Tel: (44) 0181 741 1311 Fax: (44) 0181 741 0611. Abstracts should be submitted by 26 January 1996 to: Dr J.A. Reid, Department of Anaesthetics, Western Infirmary, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK. Tel: (44) 0141 211 2069 Fax: (44) 0141 211 1806.s should be submitted by 26 January 1996 to: Dr J.A. Reid, Department of Anaesthetics, Western Infirmary, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK. Tel: (44) 0141 211 2069 Fax: (44) 0141 211 1806. 10-11 April 1997 Guildford, UK Contact: Dr P. Moore Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford, UK. April 1998 Leeds, UK Contact: Dr G. Lyons Department of Anaesthetics, St James Hospital, Leeds, UK. RPMS Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 31 October 2 November 1995 Contact: O A A Registration, Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PO Box 3219, London SW13 9XR, UK. London, UK Tel: (44) 0181 741 1311 A three-day course in obstetric anaesthesia and Fax: (44)0181 741 0611. analgesia. Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) 28th Annual Meeting 1-4 May 1996 Tucson, Arizona Richmond, VA 23230-1086, USA. Contact: SOAP Tel: (1) 804 282 5051 1910 Byrd Avenue, Suite 100, PO Box 11086, Fax: (1)804 282 0090. Sol M. Shnider Obstetrical Anesthesia: 21-24 March 1996 The annual obstetrical anesthesia course will again be held in San Francisco. It is now named in honor of the late Dr. Sol M. Shnider, the original organizer of this course. The course will be held at the Grand Hyat t on Union Square. Call (1) 415-398-1234 for room reservations. Course brochures or registration 1996 information requests should be addressed to Dr. Samuel C. Hughes, University of California, San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Room 3C-38, 1001 Portrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. Fax (1) 415 206 6014.