ketamine

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.

Can taking ketamine affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?

According to the MotherToBaby fact sheet, it is not known whether using ketamine could make it harder to get pregnant. A study in men with normal semen samples found lower sperm motility after ketamine exposure, which could potentially affect a man's fertility. Any concerns about fertility and ketamine use are best discussed with your healthcare provider.

Does taking ketamine increase the risk of miscarriage?

Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many reasons. The fact sheet notes that a few studies suggest a small increased chance of miscarriage in people who had surgery with general anesthesia in the first half of pregnancy, but it is unclear whether this is due to the anesthesia itself, the body's response to surgery, underlying illness, or other factors. This is a topic to review with your healthcare provider in the context of your individual situation.

Does taking ketamine increase the risk of birth defects?

About 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect for various reasons. According to the fact sheet, it is not known if ketamine increases the chance of birth defects, though some studies suggest that exposure during pregnancy may impact fetal brain development. Your healthcare provider can help weigh this information in the context of your specific circumstances.

Can taking ketamine during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?

The fact sheet states it is not known whether ketamine increases the chance of issues such as preterm delivery or low birth weight. When used as an anesthetic at delivery, there may be changes in uterine tone, contractions, fetal heart rate, or newborn breathing, and there have been reports of newborns with increased muscle tone (hypertonia) after ketamine use for minor surgery in pregnancy—though there are also reports of births without these issues. Discuss any planned or past ketamine exposure with your healthcare provider.

Can taking ketamine during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?

Some studies suggest that ketamine exposure can affect fetal brain development, which might increase the chance of learning or behavior issues in the child. However, the fact sheet emphasizes that people who are pregnant and need surgery—especially for life-threatening conditions—should not be discouraged from general anesthesia, and that risks and benefits should be discussed with the healthcare team.

Is it safe to breastfeed while taking ketamine?

Ketamine use during breastfeeding has not been well studied, though small amounts do pass into breastmilk. The fact sheet describes four case reports of infants who did not show side effects from breastfeeding after ketamine was given during labor, but recommends contacting the child's healthcare provider if the baby seems too sleepy, has trouble eating, or has poor weight gain. Any breastfeeding questions are best discussed with your healthcare provider.

Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet