Gestational age at delivery and type of surgery required are predictors of transfusion during caesarean for placenta praevia. Arterial balloon occlusion does not appear to increase transfusion risk and may be considered as one of the techniques in management.

The anatomical basis for facial itch after epidural morphone is outlined. eNS nuclear events which reactivate latent herpes simplex and immune inhibition resulting in maternal mouth vesicles or neonatal injections are described. Morphine is hypothesized to affect these processes and facial itch is only a marker, not a trigger of this trigeminal opioid activity.