Management of snake and spider bite in pregnancy.

The fact that venomous snakebites during pregnancy result in a high fetal wastage and that both venomous snake and spider bites may cause maternal mortality, makes this an important, albeit uncommonly encountered, entity in obstetrics. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of dealing with this clinical situation is that care must be rendered simultaneously to two patients with a complex interrelationship. The object is to optimize maternal care and increase the chances of successful pregnancy. Adherence to the tenet that what is best for the mother is best for the fetus will probably produce the most satisfactory outcome.