Abortion With Sedation or Local Anesthesia?
- Two different types of anesthesia can be used for surgical abortions: intravenous sedation or local anesthesia.
- Your physician may recommend which type to use on a case-by-case basis.
- The choice between local anesthetic and sedation is usually left up to the woman.
- There are pros and cons for each kind of anesthesia.
This article provides you with information on anesthesia during an abortion.
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Abortion Under Sedation
Varying degrees of sedation can be used during an abortion. While general anesthesia (deep sedation) is still the norm in some countries, waking sedation is preferred in most clinics.
- Conscious (Waking) Sedation
IV sedation, also known as twilight sleep, is used to reduce anxiety and pain. You will be sedated, but responsive; awake, but not as aware of what is going on around you. Breathing is unassisted. - Deep Sedation
General Anesthesia causes you to fall asleep within seconds of receiving the medication. Depending on the dose, you will be completely unaware of your surroundings for a specific length of time. You will not feel pain, and breathing is assisted.
Whenever undergoing a surgical procedure under sedation (including an abortion), you will need to be accompanied - since you will not be permitted to drive for the remainder of the day. You may also feel shaky and should rest as much as possible.
How Long Does an Abortion Under Sedation Take?
Right before the procedure, a sedative and anesthetic are injected intravenously. Terminating a pregnancy via vacuum aspiration takes about 15 minutes. Therefore, the anesthesia doesn't have to be very strong. While under sedation, you feel virtually no sensation of pain.
When the procedure is complete, the anesthesiologist will rouse you. At this point, you may feel mild to moderate pain, usually lasting up to half an hour. At first, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded.
After the procedure, you will remain in a recovery room for at least half an hour. When you feel reasonably stable, you will be released to go home.
Abortion Under Local Anesthetic
In contrast to general anesthesia, you are fully conscious under local anesthesia, and also more aware than under conscious sedation. Only the sensation of cervical pain is suppressed or reduced.
Before using local anesthetics, your doctor will discuss all necessary medical information with you.
Procedure of Abortion with Local Anesthesia
- Immediately before the procedure, an analgesic is injected through the vagina and into the cervix, i.e., the opening of the uterus. Within two to six pricks, the cervix is numbed, intending for (almost) no pain to be felt during the necessary dilation of the cervix.
- Next, the surgical abortion is performed.
- The anesthetic gradually wears off after the procedure.
Sedation vs. Local Anesthesia Abortion
Sedated Abortion
Women's responses to an abortion under sedation vary greatly.
Being sedated during the procedure is often considered an advantage, since one is unaware, or less aware, of what is happening. This can be a relief.
Other women experience this sedation as confusing, since, upon awaking, the pregnancy is suddenly over. Some women
struggle while trying to process this moment. Another disadvantage of sedation is that it often leaves you feeling very dizzy and light-headed for several hours.
Advantages:
- Unconscious, or less aware, during the procedure
Disadvantages:
- Confusion and a sudden sensation of an inner void when everything is abruptly over
- Dizziness after the sedation
- Sedation raises the cost of an abortion (by at least US $40)
Local Anesthetic Abortion
Women’s experiences of abortion without sedation vary.
Some women prefer to be completely aware of the procedure in order to consciously experience the abortion. This makes it easier for them to process the experience. Other women find it hard to be fully conscious, aware of all conversations and sounds.
A disadvantage of local anesthesia is that it does not necessarily completely suppress all pain. This means some women still feel slight to moderate pain when the cervix is dilated. In addition, since the rest of the uterus is not numbed, many women also experience pain during the aspiration and the subsequent contraction of the uterus which begins to subsides quite rapidly when the procedure is complete.
Advantages:
- Being fully aware helps some women better process the experience
- Local anesthesia costs less than sedation
Disadvantages:
- The sensation of pain is not necessarily completely suppressed
- For many women, it is emotionally stressful to be fully conscious during the experience.
Abortion With or Without Sedation?
You probably came across this article because you are considering an abortion and wondering how you can get through this step, both physically and emotionally. Deciding on the type of anesthesia for an abortion, as well as the abortion method itself, are two of many important considerations.
You are the only one who can make that call. Your peace about your decision will strongly depend upon the degree of freedom you have in making this choice — a decision based on your values.
It can still be helpful to discuss all your questions with others — who care without coercing — whether you just found out you are pregnant or even if the abortion appointment has already been made.
You do not have to walk this road alone – allow us to walk alongside you! We would like to provide
you with a judgement-free setting so you can find the path that is just right for you:
- ⚖️ Wondering whether to have an abortion or not? Take the Abortion Test
- ⛑ Wondering where to go from here? Take the First Aid Test
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- 🏥  Abortion methods – What do I need to know?
