This handbook Step by Step Anesthesia in Obstetrics and Gynecology is designed to be a readily accessible and accurate source of information on obstetric anaesthesia for practicing anaesthesiologists, anaes­thesia residents and interested obstetricians. Anaesthetic drugs and techniques affect both the uterus and the placenta—the link between the mother and the unborn child; the resultant changes can retard placental exchange of essential nutrients. These and other considerations unique to the pregnant state have been very well elucidated in this hand-book. The role of the anaesthesiologists in obstetric practice has been redefined as advances in reproductive medicine have improved obstetric outcome in women despite significant systemic diseases and advancing age. Today anaesthesiologists play an active and important role in labour and delivery suites. The use of neuraxial techniques and drugs described in the text, address this new demand. The information provided in chapters on HIV positive parturient, medicolegal issues and practice guidelines of obstetric anaesthesia, is likely to come handy to the anaesthesiologists and obstetricians.