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Anesthesia During Pregnancy

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space placeholder.Local Anesthetics.
space placeholder.Sedation.
space placeholder.General Anesthesia.
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If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, tell your dentist during your visit.

During the first trimester, it is best to avoid any elective dental treatment. After that point, you can discuss your anesthesia options with your obstetrician or midwife, as well as with your dentist, to come up with the safest choice for you.

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space placeholder.Local Anesthetics
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Pregnant women can receive some local anesthetics if dental treatment is necessary, though most dentists recommend postponing elective dental treatment or completing it before a pregnancy. Nursing women can receive normal doses of local anesthetics without affecting their infants.

If possible, pregnant women should avoid local anesthetics that contain epinephrine. If this type of anesthetic is accidentally introduced into a blood vessel, it could lead to a decrease in blood supply to the placenta. It also could cause spasms in blood vessels, including the arteries that supply the uterus.
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space placeholder.Sedation
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Pregnant women should avoid nitrous oxide, particularly during the first trimester. There are many alternatives to alleviate dental anxiety, such as listening to music, or acupuncture. Diazepam and other similar drugs should not be used in women who are pregnant or who could be pregnant.
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space placeholder.General Anesthesia
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The effects of general anesthesia on a pregnant woman and her fetus vary depending on the drugs used. In most cases, general anesthesia should be avoided during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or believe you may be pregnant, make sure your dentist or oral surgeon knows about it.
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Last updated October 25, 2006
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