Abortion pill experiences?

[sunriseship]

I found out last week that I am pregnant and I am roughly around 5-6 weeks. I have thought this through and it is completely the wrong time for both me and my partner and we have both came to the agreement that we would like to terminate the pregnancy. I have contacted my local NHS clinic and the soonest appointment they have for a phone consultation is this Thursday. I also contacted BPAS who offered me a telephone consultation for Tuesday. I have booked both appointments just incase however will probably cancel my nhs once I have spoken to BPAS. Both have suggested the pill and am just wondering what peoples experiences are of this? I have terrible emetaphobia and have seen a lot of people that have vomited from the pill and am so worried about this. I suffer from horrendously painful periods so am used to the pain but am just wondering what the pain will be like? I am so anxious about the whole thing as I have never been through anything like this before. I’m just hoping someone can put my mind at ease 😊

I went through the BPAS, there is a branch of it near me but now I don’t even think you need to be see face to face, I think it can be video or phone call and then pills sent to you.

@Xenomothi arranged a call with BPAS too but my nhs clinic had a phone cancellation for tomorrow so i think i am going to go with them instead. They did tell me on the phone depending how far along I am I won’t need to be seen and will be able to just get the pills. I’m hoping this is the case when they ring me tomorrow.

I took today off work but I feel completely fine to go back tomorrow. I was fortunate to get a Friday appointment meaning the 2nd medication was scheduled for Sunday, a non working day.

You swallow one pill and then put a 2nd one in your vagina. Then straight away they give you painkillers, take them there and then. You are so early like I was, the pain was like a heavy period.

I had mine in a Friday and was back to work on the Monday - definitely needed a couple of days.

I have a had a surgical abortion because at the time it weeks and weeks before I was actually seen in clinic ( was 20yrs ago and I was a teenager amd living in a rural area). I have also had the pill to clear a missed miscarriage.

The pill was painful for for the 24/48hrs. I didn't go to bed, sat know sofa with hotwater bottle, blankets and listened to audio books. and had an alarm on phone to tell me when I could next take pain meds. And at first I was counting down the minutes but was OK after the first night. No vomiting. Heavey clots ( 8/9 weeks)
Surgery was a faster recovery and I had to tavel home alone on train for 5hrs. Did bleed very heavy for 3 days. I did feel very emotional after surgery which I wasn't expecting and no one warned me that my milk would come in, but this shouldn't happen at 6 weeks!!
Good luck and very glad you have a swift appointment, I'm so pleased it's easier to access medication abortion now!

Hi! I'm 5weeks 2 days, and also suffer from emet.
I've got two bits of advice:
1 - if you take the pill, there are things you c an do to help your experience: make sure to eat at least a little beforehand. Ibuprophen counteracts the effects of the drug that makes you vomit. If you take the pills vaginally then it isn't passing through the stomach, also reduces risk of v*. You can contact your GP and request very strong anti-sickness medication. Some women try and time this experience so that they sleep right after taking the second set of pills. Also, ginger is a big help! Not everyone throws up, and with these steps it can reduce your risk too.
2 - (what I've chosen to do) With MSI I'm going to have a surgical abortion just after 6 weeks. You can chose to be under local anesthetic, so you don't get the nausea side effects. It lasts average 3-5 mins, MAX 20 but rare. It doesn't cause vomiting, and can be a better experience for people with emet. I visited the MSI clinic for my first appointment today (I did have to travel a bit, but only because I wanted to be seen to sooner) and just speaking to them in-person has soothed my anxiety so much. I shared my worries, and they were really great and transparent with me.

Whatever you choose, you know yourself best
Remember, you're stronger than you think

I had my phone appointment with my nhs clinic this morning and they have said I have to go for a scan first before they can give the medication. They initially offered me an appointment for next Thursday however I have requested sooner as I am going on holiday 5th March. They have said because I am so early they may not be able to see anything on the scan and would be unable to provide me with the medication which I am worried about. I am going for the scan Friday morning so fingers crossed I can receive the medication then🤞🏼my partner currently works 4 hours away and I am going to see him this weekend Friday- Monday. The nurse has advised that I take the medication with him as she feels I will need someone with me that knows I am taking the medication incase of haemorrhage. I am honestly so nervous and it’s the constant waiting around that is making me worse😭

Did they say why you need a scan? I was told a scan can’t show anything if you’re earlier than 6 weeks. I wasn’t even offered a scan because I was 100% sure of my last period date.

perhaps you can get things moving quicker with BPAS?

another option is private but the cost is approx £550 (I did look into it)

@Tinyyetsatisfyingthey said they need a scan just to confirm I am actually pregnant and to see how far along I am. They also said that they need to do an STD test which is protocol. They did say if the scan doesn’t show anything they may not be able to offer the medication which I am hoping is not the case as it is making my mental health and anxiety so bad just waiting around. The nurse also said to me on the phone that due to me having 4 days off work I should take the medication Sunday so I am hoping for this. I am dreading taking the medication and the more time I have to think about it the worse I am feeling. I just feel like they a prolonging the process too much. I was supposed to have a call with BPAS today however I did cancel this as I had my NHS appointment via the phone this morning.

I guess this shows the differences between Scotland and England NHS abortion protocols. I don’t know your financial situation but if you can afford it; perhaps go private? I know in England you can get “Pills by Post” where the medication is posted next day to your house. Unfortunately we don’t have this under Scottish law.

I also found the anxiety of waiting for the appointment much worse than the actual process of taking the medication. I am now 48+ hours after doing the tablets on Sunday and I can’t tell you how much easier it’s been than I anticipated. Today I’ve had zero pain but just lots and lots of bleeding - changing my pad every 2 hours or so.

@Tinyyetsatisfying it’s crazy! My partner did say that he would pay privately for me so I will look into it. I do think I will still attend my appointment on Friday as I do want to confirm everything and get checked over. I need to stop reading into things online as it is making me far worse. I’m also keep worrying about my holiday that I have booked for 2 weeks time which is also why I want this over and done with😭

When I looked into it privately, the £550 cost covered the consultation, a scan, and the medication. And although I didn’t proceed, they had same day telephone appointments which would then proceed onto a next day in person appointment for the scan and medication. It’s costly but it could potentially be all over for you by Friday if time is your biggest enemy - for your anxiety and for your holiday.

@Tinyyetsatisfyingdo you know what the company is called please? Just I’m unsure as to whether they will have any clinics in my area. Thanks so much for all of your help by the way I really appreciate it.

Not a problem. I was literally you a week ago, and I was desperate to talk to anyone or have some help. I didn’t, and haven’t, told any of my friends about my abortion. Only my husband. Sometimes it’s nice to talk to a stranger.

I was looking as using “Clarewell Clinics” as they were near me, in Glasgow. Have a look at their website and see if they have a clinic near you?

I filled in the form and everything, but you had to pay when you clicked the link to book and I couldn’t justify the price in the end. If I could’ve afforded it, I definitely would’ve done it.

@Tinyyetsatisfyingthanks so much! I honestly do really appreciate it as it is such a lonely time. I also haven’t told anyone apart from my partner but it’s so difficult because he works away so I only see him on a weekend or every 2 weeks depending what his shift patterns are. He has been very supportive but I’m still finding it so difficult not having him here. There is no clinics near me otherwise I think I would’ve just went with this option😭 my partner is working in the north west at the moment and there is a clinic in Birmingham however it is still a treck. I’m driving to see him at the weekend which is a 3 hour journey each way so praying if I get the medication ill be okay by Monday to drive home🤞🏼

There are several reasons why a lady may not be suitable for Pills by Post
She may declare an abnormal last period / an irregular cycle within last 3 months / contraception used in last 3 months / some mild or significant abdo pain / these would all be reasons to do an USS first, as frustrating as that is - it is not a good idea to bypass and try another provider - it’s only for your benefit and certainty of intrauterine pregnant .

@sunriseshipim thinking about you please let me know how you get on x

@Tinyyetsatisfyingthank you so much! I’m going for my ultrasound in the morning and then fingers crossed I receive the pills to take over the weekend. I’ll let you know how tomorrow goes.

thinking of you OP 💐

@Tinyyetsatisfyinghey I’ve just been for my appointment this morning. They did a scan and confirmed I was 6 weeks. I took the first tablet with the nurse whilst there and then she’s gave me the 4 to take at home on Sunday.

Can I just say what a warm and supportive thread this is? I am sure this will be a great comfort to women going through similar experiences in future. Shout out to everyone who openly shared, and good luck with everything this weekend OP.

Mine was fine both times, had a pill to take and then a big one to put in my gums. Went home and just spent the evening in bed painkillered up and it felt like a bad period. made sure I had a few days off after.

The only negative was after the second one I had a random heavy bleed a few weeks later, flooded everything but stopped after a day.

Brilliant news. You will be fine with the tablets on Sunday. Just to reassure you - it’s now been a week since I took the first tablet (last Friday) and since last night my bleeding has lightened so much. I definitely feel at the other end of it!

Did they give you painkillers and antibiotics?

@Tinyyetsatisfyingim so glad your at the end of it now! I have felt dead nauseous since last night and into this morning. I woke up at 5am and vomited but not sure if this was morning sickness or because of the medication. I’m going to take my anti sickness tablet before bed tonight and then my 4 tablets at 9am tomorrow morning. I’ll let you know how I get on. Really unsure if the nausea is just anxiety related but hoping it subsides soon.