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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about your surgical abortion experience?

24 replies

HeyMrWhite · 30/10/2019 12:41

I am planning on having one in the next few weeks. I have a telephone consultation with BPAS next Tuesday who will then give me a date. I know I will need to have a surgical abortion as I will be approximately 11-12 weeks pregnant at the time. Tbh I would rather this as I’d like to have it all done and over with, and I don’t want to have to see bits and look at them. If anyone has any experiences of this they can share I’d be very grateful.

OP posts:
BloodyCats · 30/10/2019 12:46

No experience of a surgical abortion but I know someone who had one and found it fine. Obviously it’s not something you enjoy as such, but it all went smoothly enough with no lasting side effects.
I’ve had a medical abortion and felt ok with it. I think it really depends on how certain you feel about your choice.

Good luck. I hope it all goes to plan for you.

BloodyCats · 30/10/2019 12:47

One thing I wasn’t expecting was how long it would take for me to have a period after. I felt very worried it hadn’t worked properly, or that I’d somehow got pregnant again.
I had my abortion in July and didn’t have a period until a few days ago.

AmIThough · 30/10/2019 12:49

It was really simple for me - took about 15 minutes from when I went to sleep to when I woke up.

There was lots of bleeding afterwards and stomach cramps. Almost like a really heavy period.

mindutopia · 30/10/2019 13:02

I have never had an abortion but I did have a d & c for a miscarriage at 11 weeks. The procedure itself was not a big deal. I was sore afterwards and the bleeding was quite heavy for about a week (needed maternity pads for at least the first few days and then had a day of gushing blood and massive clots at day 7). I needed about 9 days off work (went back at day 7, but then the heavy bleeding and clots happened in the train station- should have just taken more time). The emotional bits are different obviously, but my body adjusted right back to normal with normal cycles right away. Do be mindful that you will potentially be quite fertile after so take all precautions (I was obviously trying to get pregnant and was pregnant again 6 weeks later).

CilantroChili · 30/10/2019 13:10

I’ve had an abortion at about 11 weeks, and also a d&c after a missed mc. I don’t remember much pain or bleeding at all after either procedure OP. I Do remember being extremely tired, exhausted - and needed to rest for several days. I was fine after a week. Hope all goes well for you Flowers

Original poster
HeyMrWhite · 30/10/2019 14:38

Thank you. I just want the pregnancy symptoms to go away... I can’t stand the sore breasts and the tiredness and the sickness and vomiting 😓

OP posts:
BareKneesDeCourcy · 30/10/2019 14:46

I had one 25 years ago, at ten weeks. It was ok. I can’t remember if I had any pain afterwards, but I did bleed for about a month after. My hormones were all over the shop and I would burst into tears for spurious reasons.

The worst part was living at home and being unable to tell anyone.

SCAREDOUTMYMIND · 30/10/2019 14:50

oh my god I'm so glad I found this thread

As you can tell from my username, I'm terrified

I'm 23 and my contraception failed me, so did the morning after pill.

I'm about 4ish weeks pregnant and have to have a surgical abortion because of some minor health issues, they won't take any risks.

Sending you so much love, we can do this x

Theresnobslikeshowbs · 30/10/2019 14:50

I had one about 18 years ago. It was fine, over quickly, a little sore like period type cramps, and a headache. Next day felt fine.

Theresnobslikeshowbs · 30/10/2019 14:52

@SCAREDOUTMYMIND Honestly it’s a big deal in your head, but in the grand scheme of operations, it’s quick and very easy. It will be fine- honest!

SCAREDOUTMYMIND · 30/10/2019 14:52

Also, my older cousin had one two years ago and said it was fine. She went to sleep for ten mins, woke up and it was all over. Just some cramps and bleeding like a period afterwards

SCAREDOUTMYMIND · 30/10/2019 14:53

@Theresnobslikeshowbs thank you so much, I've had an iud fitted (so much for that!) which I know is not the same but the nurse said if I can handle that then I can handle this!

DrunkUnicorn · 30/10/2019 15:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QueenArseClangers · 30/10/2019 15:28

I had one a bit earlier than you OP.
It was absolutely fine. Cramps after so make sure you look after yourself and beware of weepy hormones after.
Honestly, it’s a very straightforward procedure and you’ll be grand Flowers

ahhRats · 30/10/2019 15:31

I was heavily sedated not totally knocked out. The procedure was painless i felt tired and weak after but it was very much like a very heavy period.
Be kind to yourself. You are allowed to feel sore, sad, upset, whatever emotion.

Original poster
HeyMrWhite · 30/10/2019 15:42

When did you feel able to go back to work? I don’t want to go back if I’m still feeling out of it or bleeding heavily

OP posts:
BloodyCats · 30/10/2019 15:58

I know what you mean about the pregnancy symptoms. It’s a constant reminder.

I bled for quite a while after mine. I was 6 weeks pregnant and bled for around 3-4 weeks after. It was like a heavy period with some clots but mostly blood.

Lovestonap · 30/10/2019 16:16

It will be fine. The clinic I went to were warm and friendly and took good care of me. I'd recommend a couple of days off work afterwards. I went nearly straight back and felt a bit unwell and fluey for a day or so. The bleeding afterwards was heavy and crampy. Be kind to yourself and let yourself recover. The procedure itself was fine. I was sedated, and remember I held someone's hand tightly all the way through. It's never going to be fun, but (and I hope this doesn't sound callous) I've had worse visits to the dentist. Best wishes with it all.

Original poster
HeyMrWhite · 30/10/2019 16:53

I’m not worried about the physical pain really. I’m just adamant I don’t want to be awake at all as I don’t want to be aware of what’s going on. I literally want to just fall asleep and wake up 10 minutes later with it being over with.

OP posts:
IamHyouweegobshite · 30/10/2019 16:58

I had one about 25 years ago, I remember walking down to the theatre room. I was then in a ward, very disoriented, for a bit, and then my parents took me home. I bled for ages afterwards, definitely weeks. Felt like I'd been kicked by a horse. Good luck.

Barbie222 · 30/10/2019 17:01

I have had a surgical removal after a MMC and found it painless and as smooth as these things can be. I'm sure all will be well.

Elclr · 30/10/2019 17:03

I was awake during mine. No sedation as I had no one to come with me.

It was fine. The symptoms of pregnancy went away that day. I was 12 weeks and bled for a few days after. Like a heavy period. I went back to work a few days later.

Gottagetout · 30/10/2019 17:08

I had one about 20 years ago, echoing other posters the procedure itself was quick and no trouble. I did bleed quite heavily after and for about a month and hormones all over the shop but it settled down. Hope all goes well for you OP and you @SCAREDOUTMYMIND, I remember feeling much the same as you before mine but it was a simple and quick procedure for me and the after effects settled completely after a month - 6 weeks.

AmIThough · 31/10/2019 07:35

@HeyMrWhite I went back to work two days later (because that's when my next shift was)

It's uncomfortable bleeding so much but as PP recommended, get some maternity pads.

Mine was 6 years ago and I had a DD this year and didn't know about maternity pads until I was packing my hospital bag!

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