To request an anaesthetic?

[LMBoston]

Two years ago, I had a termination at the age of 42 (after years of assuming I couldn’t conceive). It was a surgical, awake with no anaesthesia other than gas and air. I’m pretty tough, but it was brutal — physically and emotionally. To make matters worse, the procedure was botched and I was rushed into the gynae ward a month later to remove POC under general anaesthetic.

The surgeon “persuaded” me to have a Mirena fitted while I was under...I was so poorly and upset that I said yes without having time to think. I had asked for sterilisation at the termination appointment but it was refused. I had a Mirena in my twenties; bled pretty much constantly for a year before giving up, and the same thing has happened again!

I’ve had the Mirena removed and I’d really like to try the copper coil. I don’t want hormonal contraception and I’ve been dissuaded from the diaphragm by every doctor I’ve ever asked! Anyway, my problem is that the termination has left me scared stiff of anyone messing about down there — I’ve even delayed my smear. It’s most unlike me; had the first Mirena fitted (very unpleasant but manageable) and thought I could handle the termination but I think it’s sort of traumatised me, without wanting to sound overly dramatic.

I’d have the copper coil fitted tomorrow if I could be asleep for it! Do you think there’s any point asking my GP about this? I’ve got an appointment soon to discuss it but I really don’t want her to think I’m daft :(

I would definitely ask what your options are. Especially if you are delaying your smear because of it.

Having a good, sensitive doctor do it can also make a difference. I had a coil fitted 6 weeks after a really bad birth experience and started getting flashbacks when she opened my cervix and had some labour pains. She was lovely and got me through it

Maybe not a general anaesthetic (you never know till you ask though) but sedation might be an option?

Go to the family planning clinic, they are really helpful and friendly there

If you mean a general anaesthetic, this would mean you would need a bed in hospital and it would carry significant risk, especially if you've got any health problems (high BMI, smoking, asthma/other respiratory or cardiac issues). You would also need a theatre and a theatre team to do it (including anaesthetists, ODPs, nurses) which would unfortunately cost serious time and money.

And if you don't like the idea of the coil, I think you'd find having a tube down your throat so you can breathe under a GA really unpleasant because of the sense of it being our of your control. It comes out when you're awake, but you may have a sore throat for a while afterwards. You can also feel woozy and sick.

I think there's often a perception that you just go to sleep, but you're actually given a cocktail of drugs, and have a tube down your throat so you can breathe. And things can go wrong. It's not without risk, but the benefit of planned surgery usually outweighs this risk.

I think you'd struggle to find an anaesthetist who would be willing to do this.

Would you consider getting some diazepam from the doctor instead?

There's also the issue of putting off smears. It would be great if you could find a nice practice nurse or GP you trust, who can take you through it carefully.

I totally understand why you feel this way though.

Sorry, just re-read and noticed you've already had a GA in the past.

@Alwaysunderwhelming — I totally get your point re NHS time/money. I’ve even had a look to see if a private clinic would do this as I’d happily whip out my credit card (and I guess IV sedation would be the same) but can’t find one.

You’re right that I really shouldn’t delay my smear any longer. I’ve never been squeamish or scared about this stuff but...well, now I am! Maybe an FPC would be better than the GP?

Think I need to just woman up and tough it out Btw, apologies for my similar thread further down — thought it hadn’t posted and had to type it again!

Thanks for your understanding x

If you'd prefer a FPC it might be a good option. From experience, they tend to be a bit more understanding about trauma.

Private could be an option if you really don't see a way around it. But it would be great if you could work with a HCP to try to desensitise yourself to the trauma, so that smears etc. are less stressful for you in the future.