Maternal and fetal effects of propofol anaesthesia in the pregnant ewe

The maternal mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) during the first 15 min of the infusion period, while the maternal pH was also significantly decreased. Maternal PaCO2 and PaO2 were significantly increased throughout the total infusion period. It was further observed that the fetal pH decreased significantly, throughout the infusion period, whereas the fetal MAP, DAP and PaCO2 were significantly increased during the first 15 min of the infusion, after which time all parameters returned to control values. No differences in either maternal or fetal parameters were observed between control and recovery times.