Anesthesia during pregnancy

Abstract

Surgery during pregnancy post additional concerns an represent a major stress factor for both anesthesiologist and gy-necologists. Approximately 0.5-2% of all pregnant women undergo a least one nonobstetric surgery during their preg-nancy, and the number is growing in recent years. Until present days, no anesthetic drug has been shown to be clearly dangerous to human fetus. Thus, a pregnant woman should never be delayed from surgery regardless of teratogenic effects at any gestational age. The choice of anesthetic technique, drugs and surgical procedure should be guided by mother safety and continuation of adequate uteroplacental perfusion. Regarding Cesarean Section, it is now the most com-mon surgery performed in the United States, with over 1 million women delivered by cesarean every year. Due to medical and legal implication, anesthesia must be safe in order to improve maternal and fetal outcome. Ultimately, suc-cess of each case is granted by multidisciplinary team approach and adherence to the latest clinical practice guidelines.