Abstract
Hypotension is a common side effect during caesarean deliveries under spinal anaesthesia, influenced by factors like obesity, physiological changes and abdominal circumference (AC). This study delves into the intricate relationship between abdominal circumference and hypotension incidence, spinal anaesthesia levels, hemodynamic shifts, and vasopressor requirements in caesarean sections. Method: A prospective observational study with 232 term pregnant women undergoing caesarean sections was categorized into two groups based on their abdominal circumference, group A (AC < 95 cm) and group B (AC > 109 cm). The study compared hypotension incidence, achieved spinal anaesthesia levels, hemodynamic changes and ephedrine necessity and dosage between the two groups. Results: Group B with a larger abdominal circumference, exhibited a significantly higher rate of hypotension, more pronounced hemodynamic changes, higher level of spinal anaesthesia and required more doses of ephedrine to manage hypotension compared to group A with a smaller abdominal circumference. Conclusion: This study highlights the crucial role of abdominal circumference as a predictive factor for hypotension during caesarean sections under spinal anaesthesia. Recognizing this association enables targeted preventive measures, potentially enhancing maternal and fetal outcomes during such procedures. Awareness of this correlation emphasizes the necessity for tailored interventions to mitigate the risk of hypotension, ensuring safer caesarean deliveries under spinal anaesthesia.