Obstetric Anesthesiology - UW Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine

Overview of Obstetric Anesthesiology

The Division of Obstetric Anesthesiology provides peripartum anesthetic and analgesic care for patients at UW Medical Center – Montlake’s nationally ranked Labor & Delivery (L&D) Unit, averaging nearly 2,300 cases per year with a 43% cesarean delivery rate. We serve a diverse patient population from the entire WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) including healthy and medically complex mothers. Common high-risk conditions we encounter include pre-eclampsia, morbid obesity, invasive placentation and opioid use disorder, as well as cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and hematological disorders. We also provide anesthesia care for in vitro fertilization procedures and fetal surgeries across several UW Medicine locations.

Team approach

Our dedicated team of 13 anesthesiologists provide 24/7 in-house labor floor coverage. We provide labor pain relief and peri- cesarean care on the labor floor and in the operating rooms. We also offer a pre-delivery consultation service for patients with high-risk pregnancies and those with inquiries about using anesthesia during labor and delivery. In addition, we have translators available in-house or by telephone.

We work closely with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Maternal Fetal Medicine Division, and the UW midwifery group to provide an integrated, team approach to patient care. Together, this team has over 10 years’ experience performing Ex-Utero Intrapartum Therapy (EXIT) procedures for neonates with compromised airways and has recently begun expanding its fetal surgery services.

Specialized facilities

As a tertiary care center, UW Medical Center – Montlake is equipped with specialized facilities including cardiac hybrid operating rooms, a fully staffed interventional radiology suite, and a specialized medical intensive care unit to care for high-risk patients during labor, delivery, and the postpartum period.

National recognition and community outreach

Our division was awarded the inaugural Center of Excellence designation by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) in 2019, recognizing our excellence in obstetric anesthesia care when compared to national standards.

Since 2016, we have successfully organized a yearly regional symposium catering to the needs of private practice and other community providers who desire to refresh their knowledge of Obstetric Anesthesia and High-Risk Obstetrics. For more information contact UW CME.