Hi all, this might be long but I'll try and get the details in.
November 2023 I found out I was pregnant. I have a disabled child and was in a fairly new relationship and so I called BPAS to schedule an abortion. Went to the BPAS clinic ad had a consultation. I was then given an ultrasound to check the gestinational sac was in the correct place and rule out ectopic. I was then given abortion tablets, one to stop the heartbeat and another to evacuate the pregnancy. I took the first in clinic and the second 24 hours later as instructed. I was told that as I was early on (roughly 5 weeks) I wouldn't see much and to expect a heavy period type bleed and cramping. I did experience a lot of very painful cramping but no bleeding other than pink on wiping. This went on for maybe 12 hours. I called the aftercare line and spoke to a midwife who said to just wait, it would happen but can be delayed a few days. To cut a long story a bit shorter, nothing happened. I had continuing pregnancy symptoms, I was absolutely positive I was still pregnant and called the BPAS aftercare line multiple times over the next 4 weeks to be repeatedly told to just wait, they are sure it worked and to just take the pregnancy test they provided at 4 weeks post abortion - if it was still positive to call back.
The post abortion pregnancy test came back positive and they booked me an appointment for roughly a week later. It was discovered by ultrasound at this point that I was in fact still pregnant and roughly 10 weeks. I was again given the two tablets and sent on my way. I had been told to expect a lot of bleeding, severe cramps and the passing of the fetus due to the gestation. I had the most awful contraction type pain I have ever felt for the next 12 hours. I was screaming in pain, but no bleeding. I called the aftercare line and was told to just wait, it usually happens quickly but can take a few days. I told them repeatedly it felt like my body was desperately trying to push something out but nothing was coming. The called back 2 days later to say that there had been no bleeding or passing of the pregnancy. I then went to sleep and woke up to lots of missed calls on a private number, I answered the next one and it was someone from the clinic explaining they had had the doctors review my scans and the fetus looked to be implanted inside my cesarean scar. That it could be life threatening and to get to the hospital immediately.
I arrived at A&E with the letter the clinic had emailed me explaining what had happened, saw a triage nurse who read the letter and was referred to an advanced nurse practitioner instead of a doctor. They also read the letter (I believe there was a language barrier as she did not seem to understand exactly what I was saying). I was told as I wasn't experiencing active heavy bleeding to go home (I was having alot of severe stomach pain) and they would make an appointment at the early pregnancy unit for in a weeks time. The next day the lead midwife from BPAS North West called me and asked for an update. She strongly advised me to go back to A&E and demand to be seen. I saw a different doctor who was great and referred me straight to the surgical gynae unit. From there I had an ultrasound which confirmed cesarean scar ectopic - apparently it is very rare and the sonographer at the hospital seemed pretty sceptical before she actually did the scan. She said she couldn't believe they had missed it on two separate ultrasounds. I was kept inpatient to have surgery the next morning. I began to bleed very heavily overnight, was asked to sign consent for a mass cremation for the baby and had emergency surgery. I woke up with a catheter in my bladder, a drain in my uterus and vaginal packing. I spent 4 days in hospital. As far as I know my fertility is intact (I was never told any different) but I did not have any follow up appointments after discharge so I don't know much else.
This has greatly impacted my mental health. I know it may not seem like a lot but it has really affected me. I'm sorry this was so long.