Maternal Microcirculation & SDF Imaging

Initial SDF measurements are recorded in the obstetric preoperative area within two hours prior to administration of spinal anesthesia.

The spinal anesthetic technique is standardized. In the operating room spinal anesthesia will be administered with the L2-L5 interspaces in the sitting position using 12 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine with 15 mcg of fentanyl and 150 mcg of preservative free morphine.

A second comparative SDF measurement be recorded within 10 minutes after induction of spinal anesthesia.

Participants who experience hypotension following induction of spinal anesthesia will be treated with a bolus of phenylephrine and/or ephedrine as needed.

Participants will have an infusion of phenylephrine started immediately following the induction of spinal anesthesia for prevention of hypotension.