What are the effects of general anesthesia from surgery on a four week fetus?

Unknown: It is hard totellwhat the effects might be because no one will do a study on pregnant women. In general, it is best to put off any elective surgery and anesthesia until pregnancy is over. If you can't for some reason, the anesthesiologist will select the agents and techniques least likely to cause problems.

Minimal risk: Generally, it is thought that anesthesia carries minimal risk to a developing fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy. Exposure to the newer anesthetic agents is felt to be relatively safe. The only class of anesthetic drugs that are thought to be harmful are the benzodiazepines such as valium. This effect was demonstrated only in animal studies.

Variable: There are medications that we prefer not to use on the pregnant patient at this stage of development. Talk to your anesthesiologist about your concerns before the operation.