The picture IS a great one, but the doctor has said in an article that he took the hand out, himself, because he thought it would make a good picture. He made a point of saying that since the mother was anaesthetized, naturally the baby was as well. I remember pulling it from Nexis once, some time ago, and can find it again on Monday when I'm back in the office, if anyone's interested. It does make sense, though - if she's out cold with anaesthesia, so is the baby.
The photographer who took the photos, Michael Clancy, as well as other people who witnessed the surgery, dispute Bruners' claim.
It depends on the type of anesthesia. If she is given a neural block, that is not supposed to affect the baby.
A neural block, or spinal block, is often used in Caesarian section, so as not to affect the baby.
Substances that are inhaled, or given intravenously, can be expected to be also transmitted to the child.