Anesthesia is an important part of your abortion procedure. To help you decide which anesthesia is best for you please read the following facts about your choices of anesthesia.

1. Recommended for patients who do not feel nervous and/or tolerate pain well, do not mind being fully aware of the procedure, or do not mind remembering the procedure.
2. Not recommended for most minors
3. Not recommended if you are 12 weeks and over

Description

1. You will be given a pill to take the edge off and a pill for cramping.
2. The doctor will inject your cervix with a local anesthetic like when a dentist numbs your mouth.
3. There is about a 50% chance that you will be totally numb, however there is about a 50% chance that you will not be totally numb and feel pain during and after the procedure ranging from light cramping to severe labor-type pain.

Advantages and Disadvantages

1. For many, the pills given before your procedure do not relax you or help with cramping as much as you may want.
2. There is about a 50% chance that you will not be totally numb and feel discomfort ranging from light to severe labor-type pain.
3. Because you will feel more nervous during the procedure than with IV sedation or general, you are more likely to consider non-painful events as being painful.
4. Because you will feel more nervous than with IV sedation or general, patients with high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, etc. may be more likely to see a worsening of their condition, such as further increase in blood pressure, etc.
5. You are fully awake and aware of the procedure taking place.
6. Usual stay in recovery room is 15 to 20 minutes.
7. There is no extra cost.

1. Recommended for patients who feel nervous, tolerate pain well, want a little more relaxation than with local alone, or do not mind being fully aware and remember the procedure.
2. Not recommended for the very nervous or minors.
3. Not recommended for 12 weeks and over.

Description

1. You will be given a IV injection to relieve anxiety and pain.
2. The doctor will inject your cervix with a local anesthetic like when the dentist numbs your mouth.
3. You may have mild discomfort with the dilation of your cervix.
4. You may feel discomfort/pain during and after the procedure ranging from light cramping to severe labor-type pain.

Advantages and Disadvantages

1. You may not e as relaxed as you would like.
2. You may feel more pain than you want.
3. Because you will feel more nervous during the procedure than with IV sedation or general you are more likely to consider non-painful events as being painful..
4. You are awake and aware.
5. Your recovery time may be less than with IV or general 15-20 minutes instead of 30-45 minutes.

IV SEDATION

Recommendations

1. Recommended for patients who feel nervous and/or tolerate pain fairly well, who want to feel relaxed and sleepy during the procedure yet aware during the procedure, who want added pain control during and after the procedure, or who want to remember little or nothing of the procedure (85% chance of some amnesia).
2. Recommended for minors (or general)
3. Recommended for patients 12 weeks or over (or general)

Description

1. A nurse anesthetist will start a very small IV (like a blood test) and give you the following medications:

   Valium - a sedative to relax and make you sleepy, increase your tolerance for pain, and to help you forget parts or all of the procedure.

   Nubain - a narcotic to help with pain during and after the procedure.

   Brevitol - a short-acting sodium pentathol is sometimes given to make you sleepier.

Advantages and Disadvantages

1. You are not asleep but you will be sleepy within 30-45 seconds after medication is given through the IV
2. Much stronger and more predictable than the pills taken before local anesthesia.
3. Because you are not asleep the doctor must still inject your cervix with a local anesthetic (which most patients seldom feel) and there is still as with local alone a 50% chance you will not be totally numb and feel pain ranging from light to severe; however IV sedation helps you to tolerate more pain because you are relaxed, sleepy and have been given a narcotic (pain medication). Often helps you remember little or none of the procedure. Valium is a good amnesiac. Reduces or eliminates pain after the procedure.
4. Usual stay in recovery room is 15 to 30 minutes.
5. Insurance may be accepted.

GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Recommendations

1. Recommended for patients who feel very nervous and/or do not tolerate pain very well, who want to be totally asleep during the procedure, who want to feel, hear, see or remember none of the procedure, and who want added pain control after the procedure.
2. Recommended for minors.
3. Recommended for patients 12 weeks or over.

Description

1. A nurse anesthetist will start a very small IV (like a blood test) and give you the following:

   Valium - to relax and make you sleepy

   Nubain - to help with pain after you wake up

   Brevitol - to put you totally asleep

Advantages and Disadvantages

1. You are totally asleep therefore, you will feel nothing during the procedure, not remember, see or hear anything during the procedure. % Recall is remote - 1%.
2. Because you are given a narcotic for pain, most patients awaken with very little, if any cramping.
3. You are usually asleep 3-5 minutes.
4. Generally, patients are no sleepier after general than with IV sedation. Your length of stay in the recovery room is the same as with IV sedation, 15-30 minutes.
5. Insurance may be accepted

SAFETY OF ANESTHESIA
Complications / side effects may occur with any anesthetic. General carries the greatest risk, IV sedation carries less and local carries the least. Because IV sedation relaxed you, most experts agree that IV sedation may be safer than local, especially in patients with high blood pressure, asthma, epilepsy and certain heart conditions, etc. in which nervousness may worsen your condition. Because you are often nervous when receiving local anesthesia, it is not uncommon for your blood pressure and pulse rate to increase. Heart beat irregularities may be more common than with IV sedation because of your increased level of anxiety. Check with the nurse anesthetist for a full explanation of risks.