Worried about exposure to OR Gas while pregnant

Published

Specializes in Peds, Pre and post op.

How Dangerous are anesthesia induction gases to unborn children? Right now I am about 6 or so weeks pregnant. I go in for my first OB appiontment tommorow afternoon, but in the mean time I am very worried! I was working in pre op and I started an IV on a child patient while they were using gas to induce them. The OR RN knows I am pregnant and didnt say for me not to be in the room during induction with gas. I guess I just wasnt thinking, I was just trying to help but I should have sayed out of the room during induction. I really hope I have not caused any harm to my baby because of this. I will talk to my OB tommorow but my appointment is not until late afternoon and I am just sitting here all worried!:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

your child is going to be born very happy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

I'm a CRNA and I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant with my first child. Today's anesthesia machines have scavenging systems that evacuate the anesthetic gases through the hospital's vacuum system. Plus, most anesthetics are given in a closed circuit, so you will have very little gas actually leaking out into the OR. Now, with that being said, you should try really hard not to be in the OR when they are inducing a child with gases because that is considered an open system. I will not do pediatric cases for that reason....but if someone needs a helping hand it's not going to hurt me to be in the there for a few minutes every now and then. So basically, what I'm trying to say is that if you can avoid being in pediatric induction cases you should, but I wouldn't worry about a one-time exposure to the gases or any adult cases. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

I've had quite a few pregnant coworkers in the OR and all gave birth to healthy babies..We deal with X-ray too and no one has had a 3 headed baby yet..I think has long as the proper precautions are taken.. ie lead aprons, scavenger systems for anesthesia machines and common sense(I'll step in and help move a big patient so the momma-to-be doesn't have to) it's pretty safe. There are things a pregnant lady should avoid outright, like bone cement, but we just make sure none of the pregnant ladies are in those rooms. We try to look out for each other.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment