Respiratory Monitoring and Blood Gas Physiology

Pregnancy is associated with various physiological adaptations. Respiratory monitoring is of primary importance in obstetric patients. Even a transient inadequacy in oxygenation and ventilation may be life threatening to both mother and fetus. Bedside clinical monitoring of vital signs is currently largely supplemented by availability of pulse oximetry, capnography, and easy availability of blood gas analysis. Proper understanding of these monitored parameters and their pitfalls is crucial in the management of respiratory failure and acid-base disorders in pregnancy.