Chapter 23: Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA)
9. If you have decided to give an injection to numb the cervix, do so now.
Injection to numb the cervix
You will need a sterilized 22-gauge spinal needle (or a needle
extender) and a local anesthetic with no epinephrine in it.
1% lidocaine is one example of a local anesthetic to use.
Before you give the injection, ask the woman if she has
had this kind of anesthetic medicine before. Find out if
she ever had a bad reaction to this medicine. If she has had
a bad reaction, do not give the injection.
Use the tenaculum to move the cervix a little to the side
until you can see the place where the cervix (which is smooth)
joins the vagina (which is more rough).
Follow the directions on pages 345 to 349 to give an injection.
Inject the
medicine into
these spots.
xx
Insert the needle about 1 centimeter under the skin and inject
2 milliliters of medicine slowly as you pull the needle out. Repeat on
the other side of the cervix.
The medicine will take about 3 minutes to numb the cervix. The
woman may still feel cramping after the injection, but it will not hurt
as much.
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A Book for Midwives (2010)