Pain Management for Dilation and Evacuation

Justification. Pain control is still an issue for women undergoing second trimester abortion procedures. The investigators propose a randomized controlled double-blinded trial evaluating the use of adjunct gabapentin versus placebo in addition to moderate sedation during D&E. The investigators hypothesize that 600 mg oral gabapentin administered pre-operatively at the time of cervical preparation initiation will improve intra-operative pain control. The investigators also hypothesize that it will improve pre- and post-operative pain, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and overall satisfaction with pain management during D&E. To test the hypotheses the investigators plan to enroll 130 participants who will be randomized 1 to 1 to receive either 600 mg gabapentin or placebo at the initiation of cervical preparation.