Obstetric Anaesthetic Service

The obstetric anaesthetic service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is highly regarded both nationally and internationally. We are a centre of excellence for clinical practice, research and training in this sub-speciality.

The service is led by a team of 8 Consultant Obstetric Anaesthetists, who oversee the activities of our obstetric anaesthetic Fellows and anaesthetic Registrars.

We are actively involved in the antenatal management of women with more complex pregnancies or other medical conditions, including a specialist service for patients from the Royal Brompton Hospital with complex heart disease.

We provide pain relief in labour, often with an epidural infusion, although we now offer a patient controlled pain killer system (Remifentanil PCA) as an alternative to this.

We are very happy to discuss pain relief options with any woman, and there is always an anaesthetist available in the Labour Ward. We provide anaesthesia for caesarean section and other interventions—usually a regional anaesthetic, where the mother is awake, but sometimes using general anaesthesia.

We are lucky to be one of the few obstetric units with a dedicated High-Dependency Care area—the Simpson Unit. This allows us to care for women who need increased levels of observation or medical support during their pregnancy or following the delivery of their baby.

Further information

• Find out more about our Maternity Services

• The Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association provides further information on anaesthesia and pain-relief in childbirth, including films, information cards and patient leaflets