SHARES
We recently conducted a Facebook Live session with Dr. Rathigah Marimuthu, Consultant Anaesthetist at KL Fertility Centre, to understand more about the importance and safety of anaesthesia in in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Dr. Rathigah has been practising as a Consultant Anaesthetist since 2006, with special interest in Anaesthesia for Day Care Surgery. Currently, she provides anaesthesia for egg retrievals during IVF and any other procedures which requires anaesthesia.
-
Why do patients need anaesthesia?
Doctor: Anaesthesia is required during surgeries for three reasons: Firstly, to induce temporary loss of sensation; secondly, to allow temporary loss of consciousness for more comfort and less anxiety; thirdly, to allow a pain-free procedure or surgery.
-
What type of anaesthesia will patients receive during IVF?
Doctor: Patients undergoing IVF will be sedated. Sedation can make the patient unconscious. However, it does not paralyse the muscles like other types of anaesthesia, allowing the patient to still breathe on her own. It can also feel like a deep sleep in some patients.
-
What are the risks that patients might face when operated under anaesthesia?
Doctor: The risk involved for a healthy, young woman is low, provided that the patient followed the preparatory instructions given prior to the procedures. Anaesthesia is also safe for patients who maintain a healthy weight, has no medical problems and has no complications from previous surgeries or procedures. However, common side effects that patients may experience include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness or headaches.
In KL Fertility Centre, I would be the consultant to provide sedation. I will be with the patient from the beginning of the procedure, until the patient is discharged. I would monitor the patient before, during, and after the procedure on her heartbeat, blood pressure and the air that she is breathing to ensure the safety of the patient.
-
What happens during the recovery from anaesthesia?
Doctor: Sedation is often recommended for egg retrieval because the procedure only takes 30 mins. The cleaning of perineal area, which is painless, is done at the end of the procedure. Hence, sedation will no longer be given to the patient. This allows a five to ten minutes window for the patient to recover from the effect of anaesthesia. While patient may remain drowsy, most of them are able to respond to my questions. The patient will then be transferred to the recovery room for further monitoring of one to two hours, or until I decide that they are fit to go home.
-
What are the important patient information required by the anaesthetist?
Doctor: I will meet the patient in the morning before the procedure to talk about her medical history. In some cases, I will meet the patient a week or two in advance if they have medical problems. This ensures that both parties are prepared for the procedure. Besides medical problems, I will also need to know the medications taken, presence of complication from previous surgery or procedure, family history of surgery complications and the fasting period.
-
Have you encountered any patients who did not want to receive anaesthesia?
Doctor: Yes, I had two or three patients who refused sedation and preferred to be aware of the situation. Since the pain during egg retrieval is due to the puncture of vaginal or ovarian wall, I will give them pain killers instead.
How would you advise readers who might undergo anaesthesia in the future?
Doctor: Always follow your doctor’s orders and curfew for the preparation of the procedure. Let your anaesthetist know if you have any medical problems, if you are taking medication, or if you had complications in previous surgeries. This information is required so that the anaesthetist can take measures to ensure that you can resume normal daily activities as soon as possible.
To learn more about fertility, follow KL Fertility Centre on their Facebook page. If you would like to discuss with a Fertility Consultant on the possibilities of building a family, make an appointment with KL Fertility Centre today!
by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
