A case of sleep apnoea syndrome in a pregnant patient is reported here. For obstetric reasons, and because of the possibility that a metabolic and respiratory acidosis associated with the apnoea syndrome might have developed, we decided to do a caesarian section. Orotracheal intubation was particularly difficult because of the patient's abnormal mandibular, palatal and retropharyngeal shape, which was probably the underlying cause of the apnoeic syndrome.