Successful use of noninvasive ventilation in pregnancy.

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) occurs in less than 0.1% of pregnancies; however, it is one of the most common reasons for obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) and carries a high mortality for both mother and fetus. Pulmonary physiological and anatomic adaptations during pregnancy affect the overall management, as well as predispose patients to complications during respiratory illness. Pregnancyrelated upper airway mucosal oedema may obstruct visualisation of the airway during intubation and can make invasive airway management difficult. The pregnant female requiring endotracheal intubation has a four-fold higher risk of having a difficult airway and an eight-fold higher risk of a failed intubation [1].