Anaesthesia for a caesarean in pictures
26 April 2025
“A picture paints a thousand words,” and sometimes, it can bridge a critical gap in communication. To help our members and other health professionals overcome barriers when discussing anaesthetic care with patients, the OAA has commissioned pictorial representations of what patients may experience when having an anaesthetic for a caesarean birth. These images illustrate common aspects of the care patients should expect when undergoing spinal or general anaesthesia.
These two pictorial patient journeys, one with spinal anaesthesia and the other with general anaesthesia, have just been published on our public information website, LabourPains.org. These step-by-step visual guides will be a useful resource that mothers can freely access and support anaesthetists and other health professionals to explain anaesthesia choices to their patients.
Dr Nuala Lucas, President of the OAA, said: “These pictorial journeys are a powerful tool for shared decision-making. They allow women to visualise what will happen during a caesarean section, helping to reduce anxiety and support informed consent, particularly in time-pressured or complex situations. This work is part of the continuing commitment by the OAA to better explain obstetric anaesthetic care to mothers.”
These images are the work of Mercy Eade, the talented medical illustrator whose clear and compassionate artwork brings these journeys to life. Members and their colleagues are encouraged to explore and share these resources, now available at www.labourpains.org.
