An Observational Study of Post-cesarean Delivery Respiratory Patterns Using a Non-invasive Minute Ventilation Monitor (Exspiron ™ System)

An Observational Study of Post-cesarean Delivery Respiratory Patterns Using a Non-invasive Minute Ventilation Monitor (Exspiron ™ System)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the breathing patterns of women who undergo cesarean delivery with spinal or epidural morphine for post-operative pain control in the first day after surgery. Some women who undergo cesarean delivery may be at risk for respiratory complications related to opiate administration for post-operative pain. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate post-operative minute ventilation in women who undergo cesarean delivery using a novel method of non-invasive minute ventilation monitoring, and to see if there are predictive risk factors that may predispose women to post-operative hypoventilation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or older
• planned cesarean delivery with neuraxial morphine for post-operative analgesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-English speaking subjects
• patients who undergo urgent or emergent cesarean deliveries
• patients who receive general anesthesia or do not receive neuraxial morphine