This article accompanied the "What's New in Obstetric Anesthesia?" lecture presented at the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Annual Meeting in May 2012. The invited lecturer reviewed the obstetric, obstetric anesthesiology, perinatology, and key medical literature published in 2011. This review identifies key topics and themes from the 2011 literature relevant to the science and clinical practice of obstetric anesthesiology and the interdisciplinary care of obstetric patients. Specific topics include health care policy issues that affect pregnant women, updated information on maternal mortality and morbidity, and clinical and outcomes-based research related to anesthetic practices for women undergoing cesarean delivery.