Dr. Steven J. Lins, MD

While general anesthesia can be done for C-sections in emergent situations it is definitely not preferred in elective situations. The reasons behind this involve the safety of the mother and baby. Late in pregnancy the mother's stomach fails to empty completely which is why heartburn is a near universal condition in the third trimester. When a general anesthetic is administered the protective reflexes of coughing and gagging are abolished and strong acidic stomach fluids can enter the lung. This is a condition called aspiration. Aspiration can destroy lung tissue, lead to pneumonia and even cause death if severe enough. This is why spinals and epidurals are preferred for the mother. General anesthesia may also have implications for the baby. If sufficient time has passed from administration of the anesthetic until birth the baby may be anesthetized as well. This is confusing to the caregivers who are trying to evaluate the baby as well as hampering the much-needed deep respirations and crying that occurs at the time of birth and which clear fluids from the lungs. Again, spinals and epidurals do not elicit these problems. I hpe this helps!