Anesthesia while pregnant

[KMac32]

Are you able to go under general anesthesia while pregnant? Is there a time during pregnancy that it is more okay than others?

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Not wrong GA.  Things probably have changed since you were last in the position, but I still agree in that if it is something I can put off, I would.  With my last pregnancy, it couldn't be put off.  Plus, it was at the very end.  I just know that there are times that pregnant women don't have a choice, so I imagine that continued research is done on this to ensure the best chances of survival for the baby and least chances of birth defects, etc.  That doctor told me that the risks were pretty low, but that legally, he has to discuss it with me.  It was just nice that even though I had already told them I was not going to go through w/ the surgery, he really took the time to really explain things to me in great detail.  I really appreciated that.  A nurse friend of mine went w/ me and was really impressed by him as well.  But there was no changing my mind that morning.  Any risk was too great for me.  I was literally like 4 weeks and 1 day pregnant.  I would feel much more comfortable now if I needed it to be done.  But right now, I am fine.  We will see as the pregnancy goes on though.  It was the last 6 weeks or so, where I ran into some problems last go round.  I would def say that the greatest time for risk would be the first trimester.  The longer in a pregnancy you can go before having something done, the better and less risk.  That's just true no matter what.

KMac32, is it possible to wait until you are about 14 weeks plus pregnant?  At least then you would be in your 2nd trimester and out of the "danger zone" so to speak.  As far as what is the most risky or has the least amount of risks, whether it be surgery or medication...I would def speak w/ both your surgeon and your OB.  The two of them should really have a pow wow about it.  I think they could better answer those questions.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Hmm, guess I was wrong on this one.  I was always told that general anasthesia wasn't good during pregnancy.  Then again, the last time I was in a position to need information on that was almost 15 years ago!!

[KMac32]

I am schduled for surgery on the 8th of July and not 100% im pregnant yet (period due monday) but I was just wondering about it because I would be only about 8-9 weeks when I'd have surgery. I am only general anesthesia for about 20-30 minutes. The issue here is that I take 4 medications a day that are needed to control cronic pain and high blood pressue and heart rate  but they are all class "C" and not really something I wanna take but would almost have too. But the surgery is to releave some of the pain I have and so I would be able to then take much less medication but not physically able to stop 100%. I would need to have this procedure 3-4 times during being pregnant. If I don't take my meds I am in so much pain I am bed ridden and still feel like im dying so no meds isn't a choice but if the risk from anesthesia is less than being on so many class "C" meds then it would be worth it. Hubby and I are trying to concive either way so this is good information to have. Thanks!

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Anything after the first trimester is always better and safer.  I did have an Anesthesiologist tell me early in this pregnancy that risks to the baby were very low.  He explained in great detail what they use and what is used in the states, etc.  I was getting ready to have surgery and had just found out I was pregnant.  I was in pain but could technically put off the surgery.  It's a long story.  I was hooked up to an IV and ready to go but I was just too afraid to take any chances because I was REALLY early pregnant.  Like I had just missed my period the day before pregnant.  I started crying in fear for my baby.  I changed my mind right there in the hospital.  But even though I was not having the procedure, the Anesthesiologist took the time to do a lot of explaining so that in the event that I had to end up having it done anyway, I would be more at ease.  I was going to be put under completely but the doctor explained to me that they could do GA instead of putting me totally under, if that's what I preferred.  But again, anything out of 1st trimester is safer no matter what the procedure or circumstances.  But one doesn't always have that option.

With my last pregnancy, I had to have surgery at 37 weeks.  It was the same surgery I just mentioned.  I was put under and they did say that that late in my pregnancy, the anesthesia could make me go into labor, but it didn't.  But I had the surgery done where I was delivering, just in case.

I have also known people that had procedures done before they knew they were pregnant and went on to have healthy pregnancies and babies.  Gall bladder attacks are also more common in pregnant women and many pregnant women end up having to have their gall bladders removed during their pregnancy.  I've known many who have had to and all have been fine.

I agree w/ the others though in that, if it is elective, then I would put it off.  I wouldn't do anything during pregnancy that I didn't have to do.  

[Ashelen]

GA is safe when the benefits outweigh the risks, and as marisol said it's safer later in pregnancy when baby is bigger and more self-sustained.

I had to go under GA when I was 34.5wks pregnant to have kidney stones manually removed and a stent inserted, and me and baby were fine; in fact, my daughter was awake and kicking during the entire procedure!

But again...it comes down to: is the procedure necessary, and will you gain more from doing it than you will risk?

[LosingMyMindInGA]

General anasthesia is NOT adviseable during pregnancy at any stage unless it is for a procedure where the risks would higher NOT to have it done.  General anasthesia is known to cause some complications in individuals and therefore it stands to reason can affect the baby as well.  I would talk in depth with your OB about this before having ANY procedure done that requires general anasthesia.

[marisol_jose]

General anethesia is okay but i think that after five months or so your safer. Is everything ok?