Abstract
The safety and usefulness of gastrointestinal endoscopy during pregnancy has not been adequately studied. Human studies are mostly small and retrospective.
Most information on medicines is extracted from animal studies and is therefore not entirely applicable to humans. Invasive procedures are justified especially if their failure could result in damage to mother or fetus.
Informed consent must therefore emphasize the potential risk to both mother and fetus. Because the fetus is very sensitive to hypoxia and hypotension mother, possible dangers resulting from endoscopic examinations of pregnant women, lies in the hypotension and hypoxia of the mother.
Another danger is the development of endoscopic fetal malformation or death of a premature birth. Therefore, if possible, postpone examinations at the 2nd trimester.
The main causes for such states that may result, mothers are excessive sedation and inappropriate position of mothers in examinations.