The aim of this audit was to assess the quality of relevant information provided to obstetric patients, evaluating compliance with the standard:

 ‘Any women with an infant under two years should routinely be asked if they are breastfeeding during their pre-operative assessment’2

This study employed a single-centre prospective notes review of all obstetric anaesthetic charts in a district general hospital.

No anaesthetic charts documented patient breastfeeding status or advice given regarding infant feeding, demonstrating 0% compliance with both the 2020 and the new 2026 guidelines.  On survey, only 1/13 (7.7%) of local departmental anaesthetists were familiar with the current AoA guidelines, and 10/13 (77%) stated that they do not ask patients about their intention to breastfeed.