A skilled anesthesiologist can be an important part of gynecology and fertility care. Though routine appointments may not require anesthesia, it’s often a crucial part of operations and surgeries to keep patients comfortable and pain-free. Our staff of anesthesia specialists in Virginia includes experienced providers of anesthesia for gynecology and fertility, with a broad knowledge of women’s health care needs.
Why Use Anesthesia for Gynecology and Fertility Care?
Your gynecology and fertility specialist may recommend anesthesia for certain operations related to reproductive and gynecological health. The type of anesthesia will depend on the nature of your operation and the details of your health history. For instance, if you’ve ever had a negative reaction to anesthesia before, the anesthesiologist will take this into consideration. You may be able to choose the type of anesthesia you receive, or your care team may advise a certain kind of anesthesia. Options can include:
Regional Anesthesia
Medicine is used on a certain area of the body to keep you from feeling pain in that area during the operation. This is common for brief outpatient procedures.
Mild Anesthesia or Sedation
During mild anesthesia, you’ll be drowsy but awake and able to communicate during the procedure.
General Anesthesia
This process is often used for major surgeries. You’ll be unconscious but monitored carefully during the surgery. Each type of anesthesia is designed to minimize pain and discomfort. Physician anesthesiologists will also keep a close eye on you throughout the process.
Procedures that May Require Anesthesia
For some specific gynecology and fertility operations, healthcare professionals may suggest or require anesthesia.
Electrosurgical Excision
A LEEP or loop electrosurgical excision procedure removes precancerous cells from the cervix. These cells may be discovered during a cervical cancer screening. The procedure uses a small wire “loop” to extract the cells and reduce the risk of cancer. It usually takes place in a gynecologist’s office.
Egg Retrievals
An egg retrieval procedure removes eggs from the ovaries, usually for the purpose of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or egg freezing. Many egg retrievals only require mild anesthesia or sedation. The process lasts around 10-15 minutes with a quick recovery time.
Polypectomy
Polypectomies remove growths or “polyps” from the uterus. Since polyps in the uterus become more common with age, polypectomies are a frequent part of gynecological care. Most polyps are non-cancerous or benign, but your doctor will still want to remove them for further examination. For a polypectomy, you might receive local, mild, or general anesthesia, depending on your comfort level and the nature of your polyps. A longer surgical procedure to remove large polyps, for instance, may require general anesthesia. A procedure to remove smaller polyps may only need local anesthesia.
Endometrial Ablation
Endometrial ablation is a procedure designed to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding. The surgery destroys or “ablates” the lining of the uterus, which produces menstrual blood. You might need local, mild, or general anesthesia, depending on your comfort level and the method of ablation your doctor decides to use.
What to Expect During Your Operation
Before the procedure, you’ll meet with a trained anesthesia specialist. They’ll discuss the best type of anesthesia for your needs and answer any questions you have. We provide anesthesia for many types of medical practices, including:
- Gynecologists
- Fertility specialists
- Urologists
It’s natural to have fear and anxiety about a process that requires anesthesia, and your anesthesiologist can explain exactly what to expect, including any precautions you need to take leading up to the surgery. Most gynecology and fertility operations can be safely performed in your gynecologist or fertility specialist’s office. Office-based anesthesia reduces the costs you might face at a hospital without sacrificing the high standard of care. Physician anesthesiologists are trained in emergency care, and they’ll be able to intervene quickly if a complication arises. Once you receive anesthesia, you should be comfortable and pain-free throughout the operation. Recovery time and side effects vary from patient to patient. But in most cases, you’ll be able to return home soon after your operation or later the same day.
Why Work with SleepGuardian Anesthesiologists?
Our board-certified anesthesiologists work with gynecology and fertility doctors to ensure exceptional patient care before, during, and after procedures. Our staff members have experience administering each type of anesthesia necessary for a gynecology and fertility procedure and the training to handle emergency situations. With our experts monitoring the patient’s safety during anesthesia, the surgeon is free to focus exclusively on the procedure. Our partnerships lead to better results and better long-term health for patients. If you’re a gynecology or fertility specialist in Virginia who wants to improve your patients’ level of care, we’re excited to work with you. Contact us at 844.904.4742 to get started.
