Yes, anesthesia can be used safely during pregnancy when it is needed, and no currently used anesthetic agents have been shown to cause birth defects in humans at standard concentrations at any gestational age. Surgery should not be denied or delayed if it is medically necessary, because delay can harm both the pregnant patient and the fetus. The second trimester is often preferred for non-urgent surgery because it is the lowest risk time for preterm delivery.

The main safety goals are to protect the mother and the fetus. That means avoiding low blood pressure, low oxygen, too much carbon dioxide, and abnormal body temperature. Airway care also needs extra attention, because difficult intubation and difficult mask ventilation are more common in pregnancy. Nasal intubation is not recommended.

Some medicines and exposures need special care. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided after 32 weeks of pregnancy, and nitrous oxide should be avoided in the first trimester.