Obstetric Anesthesia Core Knowledge Modules

These comprehensive foundational obstetric anesthesia modules provides anesthesia professionals with an evidence-based foundation for the safe, effective, and patient-centered care of pregnant patients across the perinatal continuum. Through interactive learning, clinical cases, visualizations, decision-making exercises, and practical application, learners will explore how the physiologic and anatomic changes of pregnancy influence anesthetic assessment, planning, pharmacology, procedural technique, complication management, and response to obstetric emergencies.

Learning Outcomes:

Integrate knowledge of maternal anatomic and physiologic adaptations across gestation to inform anesthetic planning, including pain management, airway management, hemodynamic goals, and fetal optimization.
Describe evidence-based pharmacologic principles in obstetric anesthesia, including neuraxial local anesthetics, systemic agents, uterotonics, and adjuncts, to optimize maternal and fetal safety.
Select appropriate neuraxial anesthesia techniques (spinal, epidural, combined spinal-epidural, and dural puncture epidural) and medications based on patient factors, clinical urgency, and procedural considerations.
Develop comprehensive perioperative anesthesia plans for pregnant patients undergoing obstetric and non-obstetric surgery, incorporating trimester-specific risks, fetal considerations, and shared decision-making strategies.
Recognize early signs and risk factors for neuraxial and anesthetic complications, and implement timely, evidence-based prevention, management, and pharmacologic treatment strategies, including treatment of LAST & PDPH, nerve injury, and hemodynamic instability.
Recognize early signs and risk factors for neuraxial and anesthetic complications, and implement timely, evidence-based prevention, management, and pharmacologic treatment strategies, including treatment of nerve injury, and hemodynamic instability.
Execute standardized, evidence-based protocols for obstetric emergencies, including massive hemorrhage, hypertensive crises, uterine atony, and maternal cardiac arrest, using principles of crisis resource management and team communication.
Optimize maternal-fetal hemodynamics and pain management during labor analgesia and cesarean delivery through appropriate anesthetic selection, vasopressor use, fluid management, and uterotonic therapy.
Discuss ultrasound guidance and vertebral anatomy into neuraxial procedural practice to improve technical accuracy, safety, and first-pass success rates.
Evaluate the impact of Respectful Care, including social determinants of health, structural inequities, medication and pain management disparities, and implicit bias, on perinatal outcomes, and implement practical strategies to promote equitable and respectful obstetric anesthesia care.

This program has been prior approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology for 10.0 MAC Ed credit(s); Code Number 1046899; Expiration Date 10/18/2029. AANA designates this program as meeting the criteria for up to 8.0 CE Credits in pharmacology/therapeutics. The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology designates this program as meeting the criteria for up to 7.0 CE credits in Pain Management.

Core Knowledge Modules:

Prenatal Physiology
Non-Obstetric Surgery During Pregnancy
Neuraxial Complications
Local Anesthetic Pharmacology
Focused Anatomy: Neuraxial for the Parturient
Obstetric Emergencies - Maternal Hemorrhage: Anethestic Management
Obstetric Emergencies - Maternal Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy
Respecful Care: Maternal Health Disparities in Obstetric Care
Updated 2026 AANA Obstetric Guidelines

Demonstration Videos:

Obstetric Preoperative Evaluation
Epidural Placement
Spinal Placement

Additional Resources:

Quick Reference Guides

Beth Ann Clayton, DNP, CRNA, FAAN, FAANA
Hallie Evans, DNP, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, FAANA
Brian Kasson, DNP, CRNA
Kerrie Klein, DNAP, CRNA, CNE
Chrissy Massaro, MSN, CRNA
Thomas Minges, DNP, CRNA
Franklin McShane, DNP, CRNA
Cheryl Parker, DNP, CRNA, RNC-OB, FAWHONN, FAANA
Sarah Reynolds, DNAP, CRNA

None of the content experts for this activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies.

Accreditation Information:
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

AANA is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP #10862.

Disclosure Statement:
Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Post-Test Attempt Notice:
A minimum passing score of 80% is required to pass this course. You have TWO opportunities to achieve a passing score. If you fail to achieve a passing score of 80%, you will not receive CE credit for this course.

Content Disclaimer:
The views, information, or opinions expressed within the videos and audio are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

Course content has been prepared by the presenter/developer, and each viewer agrees that the presenter/developer is solely responsible for the content and the accuracy thereof. The viewer agrees that the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology has no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content.

Refund Policy:
Continuing education activities are nonrefundable.