Der Anaesthesist
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It may be presumed that in 1979, 150 maternal deaths will occur in obstetrics (0.27 per 1000) in the Fed. Rep. of Germany, 40% of which will be due to caesarean sections. From 30% to 50% of this maternal death rate, must be related in one or another aspect to general or local anaesthesia. ⋯ Anaesthesists as well as obstetricians should be aware of the increased maternal risk from general or local anaesthesia. The maternal risk should be minimized. This can either be achieved if experienced anaesthesists only are responsible for obstetric anaesthesia (general as well as epidural, spinal etc.) if anaesthesia (general as well as local) is not considered as a comfortable service only but a strictly indicated medical procedure, and if new methods are developed to overcome the particular maternal risk in some regard.