There are several options for pain-management (anesthesia) during the abortion procedure:
Deep Sedation anesthesia is an option for either first or second trimester procedures, but only at our Renton clinic. With Deep Sedation, you are asleep or unconscious during the surgical procedure (5 to 15 minutes). The medications have an amnesiac effect - afterward most people have no memory of the procedure. The anesthesia is administered intravenously (IV) in the arm by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). It is fast-acting. Consciousness quickly returns when the procedure is over. here is an extra charge for deep sedation and only some insurance plans cover it. Why choose deep sedation? Some women prefer it because they have had it before and liked it. Some women want it because they have experienced sexual assault or trauma and being unconscious will make the abortion easier. Some women have a low threshold for pain and even though local anesthesia is completely satisfactory for abortion, their fears about pain make deep sedation a welcome option. Some women want to be unconscious during the procedure and have no memory of the surgery.
Comfort Sleep is a powerful fast-acting amnesiac medication called Versed given . With Versed, you are awake and can talk with us during the procedure, but afterward you have no memory of the few minutes when you were “under” the medication.
Conscious sedation is given in a pill form. It allows you to remain conscious and aware during the procedure, yet you and the muscles in your body are more relaxed.
Local anesthesia consists of an injection into the cervix which numbs the local area where the procedure is performed.
If you choose Conscious Sedation, Comfort Sleep, or Deep Sedation, you must not drive afterward, so plan ahead to have a driver with you.
At the clinic, you will receive detailed information about each medication.
