A 43-year-old member asked:
Can general anesthesia during the first month of pregnancy hurt the baby?
4 doctor answers • 18 doctors weighed in

Dr. Addagada Raoanswered
General Surgery 58 years experience
Depends: Anesthesia is avoided in pregnancy. Especially first three months of pregnancy, all elective procedures are avoided, and if needed for life threatening emergencies to save the life of mother is given by highly trained anesthesiologists, who had special knowledge which medication to avoid.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. David Rosenfeldanswered
Pain Management 29 years experience
Not optimal: Anesthesia should be avoided if possible during the first trimester. If it inecessary the incidence of miscarriage and birth defects does go up.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Janice Vaughnanswered
Anesthesiology 45 years experience
Good history: Your anesthesiologist should take a careful medical history from the mother. This includes drug history, smoking and alcohol. Also history of previous pregnancies and if there were any incidents.
The type of aneshesia used will depend on the procedure to be done.
With careful planning a safe anesthetic can be done without injuring the mother or the baby.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Variable: There are some medications that anesthesiologists avoid with the first trimester of pregnancy. Please talk to your anesthesiologist so a safe anesthetic can be planned for you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 23, 2020
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