madamginger - thank you for describing your experience. I am glad that it has faded from your thoughts now but sorry that you had the same. Did the team that cared for you say anything regarding your procedure? i.e did you tell them how much you could feel? Like you, I don't feel that I will regret the decision as it was the right one for me and my family at this moment in time. But I am sad that it WAS the right decision if that makes sense. I am also struggling a bit this week with the fact that other people's lives are carrying on as normal around me- on the school run, people making small talk, my parents telling me all the details about their new neighbours, etc etc and I feel like screaming out and telling them all exactly what has happened and that I don't need to hear about these things right now. But of course I won't because I really don't want to share this with anyone in real life- apart from DP.
It has also occurred to me that it might be helpful to others reading this board to give a few more details about my experience of the actual process of arranging things as I know that I trawled this part of Mumsnet for several days while waiting for my appt.
My main piece of advice would be that if, when you find out you are pregnant, abortion is something you are considering as an option- it is advisable to at least phone up to make the initial appointment with the provider you have chosen as soon as you feel able. The process will depend on your gestation, the area you live in, how close you live to certain cities/clinics etc and how far you are willing/able to travel.
My experience was- I chose to phone my GP on the day i discovered I was pregnant (didn't find out until 7+1 weeks). I panicked and wanted to speak to someone familiar relating to my health issues. In that phone call, I also explained that abortion was something i was considering. GP was great, really understanding, and said he would make an appt for me at Early Pregnancy Unit but being a Friday and Bank Hol weekend, didn't know how long this would take but he would start ball rolling urgently. After a few hours of thinking about this I called BPAS later the same day to start the process with them as well and they were able to give me a concrete appointment for consultation for the following week. The GP, when I spoke to them again, advised me to keep this appointment rather than go through the hospital as they felt that there was no way i'd get an earlier appt than BPAS.
There was nearly a week between the initial phone call and my Consultation. This gave me time to think, and I could have cancelled at any time.
On the day of consultation, the staff were great- there was no pressure and they did not assume I had made a final decision. I was asked several times if I was sure. There was a short counselling session before medical evaluation.
Due to my gestation and available appointments (I would have been slightly too late for the medical termination by the time an appointment could be offered locally for this) the only procedure i could have had done in my area was the surgical with local anaesthetic. There were clinics much further away that we could have travelled to but as we were not telling/involving anyone else i wanted to stay local to minimise disruption.
Between the consult and procedure (only two days!) I was made aware I could cancel at any time and even up to the time of procedure i was asked if I was sure.
Sorry for the epic post- I guess what I am saying is that in retrospect I am glad I made initial steps quickly. It doesn't stop you changing your mind but it does keep more options open to you.