I am so sorry OP. I terminated a pregnancy due to a fatal condition at Washington Hospital Center two years ago and was not able to get anesthesia (are you a fed - I am and am beyond pissed off about this). I was 15 weeks along. That morning inserted cytotec to prepare my cervix. They gave me a small dose of Valium before the termination, which honestly had no effect b/c I was so nervous and upset. I should have asked for a stronger dose.

The procedure itself was very quick - like 5-10 minutes, the physical pain was manageable, the emotional pain was/is very difficult. They did allow my husband to stay with me during the termination, he was not allowed in the recovery room, but I wasn't in there that long. The doctors were extremely caring and kind.

Heads up that is it also a fully functioning OB office, so you may run into happy couples. When I was there one couple was gettin their first ultrasound and another women was ending a pregnancy.

I got counseling afterwards, the MFM office has a list of counselors who specialize in pregnancy loss.

I am so sorry.

I'm not sure you even need GA. Twilight sleep is fine. Ask about all the options for you to not experience the procedure.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for your responses. I left my OB a message to see if she could refer me to other hospitals where general anesthesia is an option.
19:06, My OB actually wanted to refer me to an outpatient clinic since the D&E is not performed in Gtown. I told her I prefer a hospital setting since I was 13 weeks and was concerned that if something goes wrong, a clinic would not be as equipped as a hospital. That is why she referred me to WHC. Do you have experience with potomac family center? do doctors perform this procedure at the clinic or are they nurses?

I would definitely clarify what the issue is with WHC, as there are several people on this thread (myself included) that had general anesthesia there. Someone has to be able to tell you if it is an insurance issue, a doctor issue, etc. If you say you personally know people who had terminations with general anesthesia they need to explain what they are telling you.

Sorry for your loss, you will get through this and your body back to normal.
I had a D&C 2 weekends ago. All I can think is that at 13 weeks there is more to curettage and perhaps if you were not totally out, the doctor can avoid unnecessary scarring.
I would still push for full anesthesia, a skilled doctor should be able to do that at 13 weeks size, blood pressure, etc.

Yes, i work in the healthcare field and am very familiar with potomac family planning (i actually even sent one of my closest friends there). It is a clinic and not a hospital, though a d&e is a very straighforward procedure, especially as early as you are. I'd still recommend washington hospital center, but if it doesn't work out cause of insurance, potomac family planning is another excellent choice. It is performed by a physician and the nurses there are very very sweet, especially to patients terminating for genetic reasons.

General anesthesia is definitely an option at WHC. It just has to be done in the hospital not a clinic there. There may also be insurance issues at the heart of this. GA is a lot more expensive.

Thank you all for your responses. I left my OB a message to see if she could refer me to other hospitals where general anesthesia is an option.
19:06, My OB actually wanted to refer me to an outpatient clinic since the D&E is not performed in Gtown. I told her I prefer a hospital setting since I was 13 weeks and was concerned that if something goes wrong, a clinic would not be as equipped as a hospital. That is why she referred me to WHC. Do you have experience with potomac family center? do doctors perform this procedure at the clinic or are they nurses?

I'm so sorry for your loss OP.

OP, they absolutely have the capability to do general anesthesia at WHC. Please ask them the reason they told you no. If it is something with insurance and not being able to do it in the OR, look into potomac family planning in rockville maryland. They are much cheaper (and a great clinic) and will do general anesthesia.

I had a d&c at holy cross and was under general anesthesia.

I had a D&C at 12 weeks due to a missed miscarriage and I was sedated. This was done at Sibley Hospital. I would definitely look into having the procedure done at another location. It was emotional enough without having to be awake during the D&C. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this.

I'm really sorry that you are going through this. I had a D&C at Sibley at 11 weeks and then D&E at GWU at 16 weeks due to Trisomy 13. Both involved anesthesia. Have you considered going to a doctor out of GW so that you can at least have anesthesia? I would recommend Dr Larson if you can change venues. Just seems cruel and unusual to do this sans anesthesia. Is this the doctors policy or the hospital? I know the areas Catholic hospitals (Gtown and Sibley) wont perform D&Es.

15:06 again. I also wanted to say that I'm sorry for your situation. All the best to you.

I had a D&C at Sibley with general anesthesia, too. OP, if you're really concerned, maybe you can reschedule with a hospital that gives anesthesia?

So sorry, OP.