Propofol has been used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia during pregnancy although this is not an indication approved by Zeneca Pharmaceuticals. Compared with thiopentone, propofol reduces the cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Maternal recovery from anesthesia may be marginally quicker. Neonatal outcome is satisfactory although one group of researchers has consistently preferred thiopentone to propofol. Compared with inhalational agents, infusions of propofol do not offer any significant advantages for the maintenance of anesthesia and the risk of neonatal depression is potentially greater. Although propofol has no major advantages to justify it replacing thiopentone for the induction of anesthesia in pregnancy, propofol does give satisfactory results and should be available as an alternative.