Termination at about 13 weeks

[Underconstruction]

Does anyone know what this entails? I've just found out that we've got a chromosomal abnormality so we plan to terminate. I just don't know what it involves. We went through this once before but at a much later stage in pregnancy (25 weeks). I'm hoping that this time will be a little easier - at least in the technical sense, the emotions are a little harder to predict.

Can't say anything helpful but just sending some sympathy and hugs your way.

Thank you. Luckily we rode the emotional rollercoaster last time around and had great doctors to support us then. We feel lucky at least to live in an age where we can be tested and make choices, but it still feels a bit like a second lightening strike!

Really sorry to hear your news and am joining leftangle in sending hugs and sympathy your way.

As for the procedure, I don't know for sure but I think it's a surgical one done under light/local or general anaesthetic.

I'm very sorry to hear your sad news - that's awful. You may already know of ARC (Antenatal Results and Choices) who run a support line, moderated e-mail group and other services for people who have unexpected results during antenatal testing. Try Googling 'ARC-uk.c.ouk' or their support line number is 0207 631 0285.
Take care.

Thank you. I already know about ARC, but it's not really the support I'm after. We've been through all this before (at a much later and more traumatic stage of pregnancy) so I'm not exactly caught unawares this time. It's just that I've had one early miscarriage (can't remember what the procedure is called after that) and one late foeticide (I went through labour) but really want to know what the procedure is if you have to abort at 13 weeks. I no longer live in the UK and some MNers may not believe it, but oh how I miss the NHS!!! Does anyone know what happens now????

I had an ERPC at xmas and was 10.5 weeks (that's the one you get after a m/c). As far as I can tell it's the same thing as a termination, just called something different.
I had to go in as a day patient, got a general to have the op, then had to stay in afterwards for 4 hours and eat something. I was under teh general for about 30 mins I think.

I suspect you would have a similar procedure although I might be wrong!
Can you try calling a local gynae ward to ask? Or do you have the equivalent to an early pregnancy centre wherever it is you're living now?

I think before about 14 weeks the procedure is pretty much the same as before 12 weeks (ERPC under general), but that they will give you a pessary to soften up the cervix before the actual op'. A friend of mine went through this at 13 weeks after a diagnosis of Edward's syndrome, and think it's pretty standard.

I have no advice, but feel so terrible for you x x

If you don't live in the UK I'm not sure it's much help asking here. You need to find out what the usual procedure is where you live.

Thank you all very much! (I've been away from the computer all weekend, drowning myself in wine and other worthy distractions!) I imagine the system here will be pretty similar to the UK and it sounds like an ERPC is what they'll do at 13 weeks. At least with private medicine I will pay an arm and a leg but will probably get to have it done asap and move on. Definitely the toughest time is when you are still pregnant (hormonal, hungry, tired) but know you're not going to be. Thank you for all your support.

Hi - I really hope it goes ok. I had a termination a year ago for a genetic disorder - it was at 18 wks. We discovered the problem at 13 wks, but in order to try to get some kind of diagnosis, we waited till 18 wks. I think the procedure depends on where you live. Where we are, once you reach 13 wks, you go through induction and labour. Prior to that you can chose to have an ERPC. So for us whether we had the procedure at 13 wks or 18 wks it was going to be the same. The induction and labour experience involved taking some pills 48 hours before readmission. These prepare the cervix in order to make labour easier and less of a shock. Once we reached hospital they gave us more pills to induce labour - at some hospitals you swallow these, but at our hospital they place them inside you, as this makes things happen faster. Then every couple of hours you take another dose - orally after the first one. I had the first pills at midday, nothing happened for an hour, and then cramps... by 4pm I was well and truly on the morphine, things calmed down 45 minutes later, and then I gave birth to our baby girl. A very difficult experience, but we know we set her free and did the right thing. But - it may not happen like this for you - it may be the ERPC, which I have no experience of. I had a miscarriage in October, but it was early, and all sorted by itself...
I very much hope things go ok for you whichever route you end up taking - feel free to ask any more questions, but I imagine this was fairly similar to when you had your termination at 25 wks - it seems very hard that you have had to make this decison twice - something we may have to face at some point, but I try not to think about it too much until we have to... We are v lucky to have a lovely 2 and a half yr old DS - he keeps us going!
Take v good care of yourself....

Thank you Samr71 - I know it's difficult to relive these things so really appreciate your writing. (I had to dig out our genetic information and despite having 2 DDs it and having been able to help others in similar situations, my own little book of memories flooded with me emotions I believed were long since forgotten).

Your procedure at 18 weeks sounds much like ours at 25 but I'm glad to say that though I'll be nearly at 14 weeks they will give me an ERPC - far less traumatic, I hope! I do hope that your game of genetic Russian roulette goes better than ours, but can say that it has been easier this time round... forewarned really is forearmed in these things.

Good luck with #2... s/he will come in the end!

Hi Underconstruction - thanks for that. It is good to hear the forewarned is forearmed bit - that is really why we waited - I thought I would rather go through 5 wks of emotional pain and try to get some information, than just end it straight away, and have absolutely no idea what we were facing next time round... I had a miscarriage in October (luckily v early at 6 wks, and so much easier than going through what we did before), but we are now trying again, so fingers are crossed - you are desperate for that positive result, but then a bit fearful of all the testing which will follow, but trying v much to remain positive...
I hope all goes ok for you...

I had a termination for trisomy 18 at 15 weeks and it was ERPC. This was in Australia although I am told at 15 weeks would be the same in the UK.
Good luck and look after each other.

Thank you all. The ECRP went smoothly! I was given pessaries to take the night before and warned there might be a "bit of bleeding". This turned out to be a flood that started at 6.30am and I had to stem with little more than panty liners. I live in a hot climate and at 14 weeks am anyway down to a pretty limited wardrobe. I was going through trousers at a scary rate and down to my last dark pair before I'd have been moving onto some pale summery shade when my husband had the inspired idea that as DD2 still uses nappies I could use one of her disposables and that got me to the doc's without further embarrassment! Apparently the success of the pessaries makes the ECRP go more smoothly so I'm glad about that but wish I'd been warned! It was pretty stressful at the time but a few days on is starting to look quite funny. Thank you all for your support and advice and good luck to those of you who've been though this too and are trying again.

Just wanted to send you my good wishes and hope you continue to feel better. I went through exactly the same last summer ending a pregnancy at 13 weeks after diagnosis of abnormalities. Physically I got over it pretty quickly but emotionally crashed out about three months later. Our hospital offers councelling for anyone one who has a termination (up to 12mths after) which I've now taken up - even though I dismissed it at the time. If you feel the need for any emotional help do ask - even if its months later.

Hope things continue to go well and go gentle on yourselves.