The Correlation Between Family Member Presence and The Consent for Regional Anaesthesia for Caesarean Section

Hospital anxiety is commonly encountered, and it is reported to be seen in 60%-80% of patients who undergo surgery. There are many causes of preoperative anxiety including fear of death due to anesthesia or surgical procedure and fear of preoperative or postoperative pain.

Preoperative anxiety varies according to the patient's age, gender, educational status, history of previous operations, and medical status as well as the type of surgery and type of anesthesia. Patient's safety and satisfaction are major concerns of anesthesiologists and obstetricians. According to evidence guidelines, and quality markers, regional anesthesia is preferred over general in obstetric surgery. Already a high level of anxiety is present in obstetric patients preoperatively.

The anxious patients tend to prefer general anesthesia (GA) for cesarean section (CS). The patient refusal is the main contraindication for applying spinal anesthesia (SA) during CS. The anxiety can be reduced variably by non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic methods including preoperative visit, information, and music, listening to Holy Quran recitation, hypnosis, nitrous oxide, and benzodiazepines. Intravenous sedation can control the anxiety in 90% of patients subjected to spinal procedures. While the evidence supports the benefits of procedural sedation for distressed, anxious pregnant women.

Inclusion criteria

• primi gravida Patients aging 20_40 years, ASA physical status I undergoing elective CS •

Exclusion criteria

High risk pregnancy eg: pre eclampsia Absolute contra indiction for SA eg: severe anaemia Emergent CS. Patients with previous exposure to anaesthesia ( spinal or general ). Patients with educational level more than high school.