We know you may feel nervous or anxious before your OB/GYN appointment. Many people feel this way because some procedures can cause pain or discomfort.
We offer moderate sedation OB/GYN services for many standard procedures. This is also called conscious sedation. This type of sedation helps reduce pain and anxiety.
What is moderate sedation?
Moderate sedation means you’re awake during a procedure, but medicine helps you feel sleepy, calm, and comfortable.
With moderate sedation, you will:
- Receive medications through an IV to help you relax and feel drowsy
- Stay awake enough to follow simple instructions
- Continue breathing on your own
- Be closely monitored throughout the procedure to ensure your safety
- Feel fully alert often within 1 to 2 hours after the sedative is stopped
- Need someone to drive you home
Managing pain and discomfort is an important part of our care. Our goal is to ease your anxiety and make standard gynecologic procedures more comfortable.
Benefits of moderate sedation
Moderate sedation makes it possible to have medical care done in the office with less pain, discomfort, and anxiety.
It can also lower costs because these procedures can be performed in the clinic instead of in a surgical setting.
Moderate sedation for gynecologic procedures
We provide moderate sedation OB/GYN services for the following procedures:
- Birth control implants or removal (NEXPLANON® or etonogestrel implant)
- Bladder-related issues (Botox®)
- Colposcopy
- Cystoscopy
- Endometrial, vulvar or vaginal biopsy
- Family planning: vaginal dilator placement, ending a pregnancy early (miscarriage or abortion)
- Hysteroscopy
- Incision and draining (I&D) of Bartholin’s Gland
- Incision and draining (I&D) of vulva or perineal abscess
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) insertion or removal
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)
- Pap testing
- Pelvic exam
- Stress urinary incontinence in women (Bulkamid®)
Why select Dartmouth Health’s OB/GYN services?
Our OB/GYN department at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, is one of the few clinics in the United States to offer moderate sedation for obstetrics and gynecologic procedures. Most people who need gynecologic procedures must undergo surgery in the operating room.
We offer expert obstetrics and gynecologic care along with personalized pain relief. Our goal is to enhance your experience with safe and caring treatments in our clinics.
Contact us for a consultation
Call us at 603-653-9300 to schedule an appointment. We're here to answer all your questions.