To ask how I can time my abortion?

girlypop8 · 2026-08-18T11:21:57+00:00

I am having a medical abortion this week - the pills are coming tomorrow and I want to take them ASAP as the earlier I do it the less painful it will be. I am a SAHM however and have no idea how to manage 2 kids and the pain. My plan is to take the first pill(s) on Weds as soon as possible and take the rest on Thursday 24 hrs later as DH has that day off but I am worried that the pain may continue into Friday and I won’t be able to cope with the kids alone. If you have had an MA at 6-7 weeks how long did your pain last and were you able to do normal activities the next day? Is there a way for DH to get Friday off with such late notice? I would have planned better but only rang BPAS last week and DH days off are spaced apart. Any advice? Please no lectures or questions about why I have done this or that, I just need advice.

Change2banon · 24/08/2026 11:50

GP changed my prescription to ferrous gluconate as I couldn’t stomach the regular ferrous sulphate that are prescribed.

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePleaseBarista · 23/08/2026 21:17

girlypop8 · 22/08/2026 10:41

I have them but they don’t agree with my stomach (nausea and bowels) so have been trying to eat more iron rich foods but has never seemed to make a difference, I’m thinking of asking for a closer look into if there’s an underlying cause as my periods aren’t heavy and I’m not vegan or vegetarian. But doctors don’t seem to show an interest in these things unless you are a man!

Show quote history

Worth asking about different iron tablet options or liquid/IV solutions. Holland and Barrett do a ‘gentle iron’ bisglycinate I think.

Frankenpug23 · 23/08/2026 08:49

girlypop8 · 22/08/2026 10:41

I have them but they don’t agree with my stomach (nausea and bowels) so have been trying to eat more iron rich foods but has never seemed to make a difference, I’m thinking of asking for a closer look into if there’s an underlying cause as my periods aren’t heavy and I’m not vegan or vegetarian. But doctors don’t seem to show an interest in these things unless you are a man!

Show quote history

Have you tried the stomach kind iron tablets from holland and Barrett?

Crumpetring · 22/08/2026 15:18

Change2banon · 22/08/2026 14:10

You can get different iron tablets that may suit you better. I’ve just been given different ones and they’re MUCH better.

Show quote history

Agreed, you don’t only have to take the ones offered on prescription.

Spatone is low dose but very easy on the stomach.

Change2banon · 22/08/2026 14:10

girlypop8 · 22/08/2026 10:41

I have them but they don’t agree with my stomach (nausea and bowels) so have been trying to eat more iron rich foods but has never seemed to make a difference, I’m thinking of asking for a closer look into if there’s an underlying cause as my periods aren’t heavy and I’m not vegan or vegetarian. But doctors don’t seem to show an interest in these things unless you are a man!

Show quote history

You can get different iron tablets that may suit you better. I’ve just been given different ones and they’re MUCH better.

Newmum2610 · 22/08/2026 10:54

About two hours after taking the second pills I was in a lot of pain. 5/6 hours later I could function and it was like regular period pain. I would take them first thing on Thursday morning if you have childcare that day and take yourself off to bed with a hot water bottle and some easy tv.

LuckyHazelFox · 22/08/2026 10:49

Keep insisting @girlypop8 your health is worth just as much as any man's. You deserve a nice pampering ❤️

Original poster

girlypop8 · 22/08/2026 10:41

dreamingofgoodhair · 21/08/2026 21:20

Maybe get some iron tablets ? Get your husband to phone in to work for the weekend. He needs to say you’re sick and he has to look after the kids.

Show quote history

I have them but they don’t agree with my stomach (nausea and bowels) so have been trying to eat more iron rich foods but has never seemed to make a difference, I’m thinking of asking for a closer look into if there’s an underlying cause as my periods aren’t heavy and I’m not vegan or vegetarian. But doctors don’t seem to show an interest in these things unless you are a man!

OP posts:

dreamingofgoodhair · 21/08/2026 21:20

girlypop8 · 21/08/2026 21:13

No pain unless I accidentally push myself by lifting something heavy (hard not to do when you’ve a massive 9 month old) and bleeding is akin to the heaviest day of my usual period which is just moderate.

Feeling a lot better symptom-wise but not great fatigue wise with my severe anaemia!

Show quote history

Maybe get some iron tablets ? Get your husband to phone in to work for the weekend. He needs to say you’re sick and he has to look after the kids.

Original poster

girlypop8 · 21/08/2026 21:13

dreamingofgoodhair · 21/08/2026 18:41

Hope you’re ok and you aren’t in too much pain. Just be careful , don’t take too much ibuprofen.

No pain unless I accidentally push myself by lifting something heavy (hard not to do when you’ve a massive 9 month old) and bleeding is akin to the heaviest day of my usual period which is just moderate.

Feeling a lot better symptom-wise but not great fatigue wise with my severe anaemia!

OP posts:

dreamingofgoodhair · 21/08/2026 18:41

Hope you’re ok and you aren’t in too much pain. Just be careful , don’t take too much ibuprofen.

bestcatlife · 21/08/2026 18:37

Oh gosh I never read the full thread lol. Hope you’re doing ok xx

bestcatlife · 21/08/2026 18:36

Hardly any pain at 6/7 weeks. Had a few hours in bed then was fine. all the best ❤️

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePleaseBarista · 21/08/2026 14:15

Hope you had a restful night @girlypop8. A vasectomy offered us peace of mind when all was confirmed but I do think women seeking sterilisation should be given much more consideration regardless of age especially when they already have experience pregnancies and/or terminations.

LuckyHazelFox · 20/08/2026 22:46

girlypop8 · 20/08/2026 22:44

Thanks for thinking of me.

Had a nap after putting the pills in, woke up with very mild cramping at 4pm, and bleeding didn’t start until 5-6pm. It was a little heavy when I sat up but since then not much bleeding. Not really painful at all but I did max out on painkillers and have been using a hot water bottle. It doesn’t seem as thorough I have really passed anything however apart from very small clots. I am a little concerned that I won’t be able to tell if I have retained products but I guess I just have to wait as there’s still time for more to happen.

Show quote history

Not as bad as you thought then. Almost over x

Original poster

girlypop8 · 20/08/2026 22:44

LuckyHazelFox · 20/08/2026 22:39

Hope everything went okay ❤️

Show quote history

Thanks for thinking of me.

Had a nap after putting the pills in, woke up with very mild cramping at 4pm, and bleeding didn’t start until 5-6pm. It was a little heavy when I sat up but since then not much bleeding. Not really painful at all but I did max out on painkillers and have been using a hot water bottle. It doesn’t seem as thorough I have really passed anything however apart from very small clots. I am a little concerned that I won’t be able to tell if I have retained products but I guess I just have to wait as there’s still time for more to happen.

OP posts:

LuckyHazelFox · 20/08/2026 22:39

girlypop8 · 20/08/2026 14:52

Another update: have taken 800mg ibuprofen and 1g paracetamol and am putting pills in now. I hope it doesn’t hurt as much this time.

Hope everything went okay ❤️

BinNightTonight · 20/08/2026 22:28

How's it going @girlypop8 ?

Original poster

girlypop8 · 20/08/2026 14:52

Another update: have taken 800mg ibuprofen and 1g paracetamol and am putting pills in now. I hope it doesn’t hurt as much this time.

OP posts:

Floppyearedlab · 19/08/2026 22:38

girlypop8 · 19/08/2026 21:51

DH is planning to get a vasectomy, although I’m not sure I’ll be able to trust it even after confirmation of success. I would like to be sterilised but I imagine it would be a tough feat for doctors to agree to giving a 23 year old a sterilisation.

Show quote history

He could have a vasectomy and you could get a coil and use condoms - you would be very unlucky if all 3 failed then. You are right you are young to be sterilized.
Hope you get through this ok and don’t have to go through it again

Ljzjta · 19/08/2026 22:25

I had a medical abortion using pills a few years ago. I didn’t have any pain after the first pill, about 2 hours after the second I started having mild period cramps that then turned into quite painful on and off cramps (like contractions). Once the tissue had passed the pain had gone completely and I had a period for a few days. I would say around 10 hours after the second pill it had completed.

bk1981 · 19/08/2026 21:57

Mine were miscarriages rather than abortions but I had two at that gestation which were very different. One was just like a period with backache and very manageable at home. The other I lost too much blood and required hospital treatment. I was mildly anaemic afterwards and needed help with my toddler for a couple of days.

I don't want to scare you but having a backup plan might help. I truly hope this goes as smoothly as possible for you.

Velumental · 19/08/2026 21:57

girlypop8 · 19/08/2026 21:51

DH is planning to get a vasectomy, although I’m not sure I’ll be able to trust it even after confirmation of success. I would like to be sterilised but I imagine it would be a tough feat for doctors to agree to giving a 23 year old a sterilisation.

Show quote history

I am 20 years older than you and still fertile. I strongly recommend the mirena coil or other injection or implant because of this happens every couple of years that's so much trauma for you and your body. Bare minimum you want the pill PLUS condoms. Every single time.

ExOptimist · 19/08/2026 21:54

Ezzee · 19/08/2026 15:32

Really, a woman reaches out for support and you answer like this!
No wonder we are still stuck with this outdated, judgemental attitude towards abortion.

Show quote history

What on earth do you mean? I said I hoped the OP was ok and given it was her second abortion in 3 years, perhaps she should get some more effective contraception.

What the fuck is outdated or judgemental about that?

I had an abortion 39 years ago, it was always surgical then, almost as soon as I came round from the anaesthetic the nurses talked to me (and all the other women on the ward as they came round) about effective contraception so we didn't have to have another unwanted pregnancy.

Again, what is wrong with that?

Original poster

girlypop8 · 19/08/2026 21:51

ThingsIwishIhadNEVERDONE · 19/08/2026 17:09

Have you looked into how effective your contraception is if this is your second termination? You don’t want to keep going through this.

Show quote history

DH is planning to get a vasectomy, although I’m not sure I’ll be able to trust it even after confirmation of success. I would like to be sterilised but I imagine it would be a tough feat for doctors to agree to giving a 23 year old a sterilisation.

OP posts: