Hi Gordon. Sorry for your loss. I've had 3 m/c and tried all three ways (waiting, tablets and ERPC). I was a bit reluctant to have the ERPC before because it was an "operation", but I had it 3 weeks ago and it was absolutely fine. In fact, I would say now that I wish I had gone for this option the other times. These are the few things I wish I'd known before...
As Chants says, it was really boring to wait all day in hospital but it took 20 minutes and I was awake on the ward 45 minutes later. You'll need some books and magazines for the bit before. Because you're in as an emergency, there is a chance you can keep getting shunted down the list throughout the day, which happened to me. It was fine except it was boring and I was getting hungry because you can't eat or drink for a while before the Op.
The bleeding and cramps were manageable for me, particularly compared to letting things happen naturally. It's like a heavy period at worst.
I was up and about the next day feeling fine (with a breakfast of runny boiled eggs, smoked salmon and coffee!) I don't think you can plan how you're going to feel, so plan a few days to recover with that chocolate and OK if you possibly can. You should go to work when you're ready - doctors will happily sign you off for 2 weeks if you need it. I went back to work on Monday after a Friday Op, but with hindsight that was too soon.
Oh, and there's no driving or drinking alcohol allowed for 48 hours after the Op.
You can't wear any nail varnish or make up so that they can monitor you whilst you're under. Make sure you take a supply of sanitary towels to the hospital because you're not allowed to use tampons in case of infection.
They'll monitor you for a couple of hours afterwards and feed you and ask you to walk about before they send you home.
One thing to warn you about is that when you have to fill in the forms for the op, one of the questions was "is there any chance you might be pregnant?" - Amazing isn't it?!
Good luck