Modern Sedation at Abortion Clinics Require No Driver or Companion

Modern Advanced Sedation Techniques for abortion procedures no longer require the patient to have a driver or be accompanied by a companion. This is very important for women who want to have the ultimate in privacy and confidentiality. Should it be their preference, they are now able to obtain an abortion procedure without anyone knowing. Surgical abortion procedures less tha
12 weeks ordinarily take only two to four minutes to perform. Advanced IV Sedation medications are fast acting and in and out of the body withi
15 minutes without any lingering after effects such as feeling faint or dizzy. Patients no longer have to endure the headaches or blurred vision so often associated with less advanced sedation. Recovery time is much faster and patients are able to resume their normal activities the same day. Commonly used sedation medications such as Valium, Versed, Morphine, Fentanyl, Nubain, Demerol and Stadol may remain in the body for up to 24 to 48 hours; therefore making driving a vehicle dangerous and unsafe. Modern-day IV Sedation drugs diminish pain and anxiety more powerfully and have no lasting, unpleasant side effects.

With Advanced IV Sedation patients are not required to fast after a certain time on the evening prior to the day of the procedure. Recent medical studies indicate that fewer complications are observed when patients eat and drink up to four hours prior to having out-patient surgery. Patients may drink fluids up to two hours before the abortion procedure. Patients who have eaten up to four hours and consumed fluids up to two hours prior to the procedure have a more stable blood sugar level and less chance of dehydration. Additionally, they experience less stress and anxiety on the day of the procedure.

Advanced IV Sedation provides for a rapid onset of sleepiness and significantly reduces the degree of anxiety many patients may experience just prior to, during and after the procedure.

During a procedure with Advanced IV Sedation, patient vital signs and respiration are closely evaluated. An oxygen saturation monitor is used to continuously monitor the patient’s heart rate and oxygen levels. A butterfly needle is placed in a vein in the patient’s arm and small amounts of the sedation medication are slowly administered to reduce nervousness and allow the patient to become relaxed and feel much more comfortable. The procedure can then be performed without pain or discomfort. Although patients may feel very sleepy and not wish to engage in conversation, they are able to answer questions and follow verbal commands. Patients are monitored continuously to observe the level of sleep or sedation and to provide more analgesic medication if required. Prior to the physician leaving the procedure room, the patient is fully aware and awake, and able to speak.

The patient is then taken to the recovery room where her post-operative vital signs and bleeding will be monitored. The patient will be encouraged to eat a light snack and drink fluids. The recovery room is staffed by knowledgeable, caring medical personnel who will remain with the patient at all times. Patients who have had the Advanced IV Sedation usually recover in a shorter amount of time. They are able to be discharged on their own and immediately resume their normal activities without any lasting side effects.

More and more women are choosing this pain-free, completely private option for surgically terminating a first trimester pregnancy.