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Pregnancy choices

This topic is for sharing experiences of pregnancy choices; to debate the ethics of termination, visit our Politics or Chat forums.

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Original poster

Surgical procedure with BPAS around 15/16 weeks

35 replies

SleepFreeZone · 29/08/2017 19:37

The baby is measuring slightly behind so I suspect it will be more like 15 weeks when I get the date through.

One doctor and one nurse have tried to persuade me to have medical management due to the risk of uterine rupture and incompetent cervix. I'll admit I am bloody scared i will fall into the bad stats for the operation as currently im always falling into bad stats 😬

Has anyone had a sugical procedure done around this gestation and found they were okay afterwards?

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beansbananas · 29/08/2017 19:51

I had this procedure at 17 weeks at bpas. The procedure itself went very smoothly and overall I felt they took great care of me and were extremely sensitive to how I was feeling , as it was very much a baby we wanted. I recovered very quickly from the procedure itself, and I am still extremely relieved that I was not awake whilst it occurred. That being said, it was one of the worst days of my life and it took me quite a few months to bounce back emotionally. I'm sorry you are having to go through this, and if you have any specific questions then I'm happy to try and answer them.

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 29/08/2017 19:56

beans I'm in exactly the same position and that's really reassuring. I'm just scared something is going to go wrong and of course every time someone warns me it might happen I think about it all over again and worry.

I have had one surgical procedure at 12 weeks years ago and it was very smooth sailing and I was so glad I opted for that route. The consultant today was so sneering about me opting for the surgical route 😞

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Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 29/08/2017 20:00

Actually I do have a couple of questions.

Last time I was given a tablet to take to soften the uterus the morning of the op. I'm nowhere near the clinic and so I'm worried I won't take the tablet in time to have it soften sufficiently. How did they administer the tablet to you, was it ahead of time by giving you a prescription?

What did you take with you on the day? I know I ran out of reading material so I was planning on taking masses of magazines, but I did end up having the op right at the end of the day so I'm not sure how it will be scheduled this time.

Was it a day procedure? When I had the same op at my hospital I was dropped off in the morn and picked up in the evening but as the hospital is at least an hour away this time I'm not sure whether I would be staying overnight?

Thank you.

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Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 29/08/2017 20:01

*soften the cervix

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beansbananas · 29/08/2017 20:15

So I arrived at bpas in the morning. They took me through to the operating room twice over the course of the day. Firstly they inserted tablets in my vagina to soften the cervix, and also inserted something to help open it. This was uncomfortable rather than painful, but I did feel quite scared and overwhelmed. But the nurses and doctors were extremely kind. The second time I was taken to the room, they put me to sleep and all I remember is waking up to a nurse holding my hand and gently trying to get me to come round. I guess this was around 3 or 4 hours after the initial procedure. The interim was probably the worst bit as I felt like I had bad cramps and for some reason I was very shivery. After the surgery, I had to wait to be allowed to go home. But I was home by late afternoon. Do you have anyone to go with you? Books/ magazines are good to have but I don't remember reading much as I couldn't concentrate on anything.

beansbananas · 29/08/2017 20:18

Bpas will give you a list if things you need on the day. I was in a hospital gown so did not need the pyjamas I took. But comfy clothes for the journey home are recommended as you will feel sore and may be bleeding a bit.

Crumbs1 · 29/08/2017 20:22

The actual risk of serious complications is very low. The most common complications are enduring pregnancy and fainting.
BPAS mainly do day surgery but some bigger centres have a few overnight beds for late procedures. Most women have an uneventful recovery and are able to go home within a few hours.
BPAS do offer additional support for foetal anomalies it the onus is on the patient to ask.

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 29/08/2017 20:38

crumbs they know the procedure is because the baby is gravely ill. I discussed it with the BPAS lady this evening so hopefully it will be on my notes.

My DP will take me and pick me up but he has two under 5s to look after so he can't stay.

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Yellowheart · 29/08/2017 20:39

I've had it done twice (termination for medical reasons) Wasnt fun but was manageable. What I would say is make sure you get medication to stop you lactating after. I was prescribed Cabergolin.

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 29/08/2017 20:40

I'm still breast feeding my 18 month old yellowheart so thankfully I don't have to worry about that.

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Yellowheart · 29/08/2017 20:43

Should add, I was terrified of uterine scarring after but was told it's extremely rare- the gynae I saw after said he'd never seen it in almost 50 years of practice.

I would recommend you speak with ARC at any point as they are so helpful. X

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 29/08/2017 21:11

Thank you 💐💐

I've just seen that if the procedure is happening in Leicester then I can get a train there with no changes in 45 mins. I would rather do that than drag my whole family out for 2x 2hr car journeys. Im assuming they won't let me out though unless someone collects me?

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Crumbs1 · 29/08/2017 21:34

BPAS policy is not to discharge without an accompanying adult.

roastandyorkies · 29/08/2017 22:03

I'm so sorry to hear of your situation

I had a termination today at 13+3. I think it is a slightly different procedure at that stage. I have mild period like pains but otherwise physically ok. I had flu -like achy symptoms earlier but they have passed after a nap.

If you have any form of anaesthesia or sedation bpas will not let you leave alone and like another adult to be present at your discharge as amnesia is one of the possible side effects of the sedation drugs so you may forget what they tell you

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 31/08/2017 20:51

Can anyone remember how long they had to wait for an appointment once they'd made the referral?

I had a phone call from the central office pretty much straight away on Tues evening. They said I'd hear within 48 hours but so far nothing. I chased them today and the central office said I just had to wait for an appointment to come up somewhere local to me and then I'd get a phone call.

Time is definitely not on my side now. I'll be 16 weeks on Saturday and I'm pretty sure the baby has passed away now abd my hormones are dropping. I haven't felt it move now for about four days whereas previously I could feel it throughout the day. Also last night I was shaking and shivering all night whilst also feeling hot. In my experience that tends to go hand in hand with miscarriage or post partum so I'm worried I shall suddenly start to miscarry and be alone with the children.

I just want this over with.

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Crumbs1 · 31/08/2017 21:27

The service is commissioned to offer a maximum 7 day referral to treatment time unless the woman specifically needs to delay due to individual circumstances.
If you start bleeding ring local maternity unit. Hope it all works out ok. Can you get someone to be 'on call' in case you need to go to hospital?

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 01/09/2017 07:54

Crumbs that's eased my mind a little thank you.

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Yellowheart · 01/09/2017 13:48

Have you tried ringing Marie Stopes? I found they had more availability than bpas and they fitted me in very quickly, within 2 days. They were funded through my local authority xx

Yellowheart · 01/09/2017 13:48

If you want to chat you're very welcome to PM me x

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 01/09/2017 13:56

Yellowheart I did start with Marie Stopes and they didn't cover my area. I've decided that if I don't hear by early next week I'll get the wheels in motion for medical management. I don't want my son to start school with this still hanging over us.

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Yellowheart · 01/09/2017 14:55

FOr what's it's worth, a dear friend recently had medical management and it wasn't as bad as she expected- pretty painless and not as traumatic as she thought. For me, this really wouldn't have been something I could go through. It really annoys me that surgical procedures are so often not available and that doctors and consultants often try to dissuade women from having the procedure xx

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 01/09/2017 15:06

It's just been jumping through hoops and then jumping through some more. It started with results of the Harmony, then had to have the CVS for confirmation, then had to see a consultant to sign off the paperwork and nowxwaiting to hear from BPAS.

Two weeks gone and I feel I'm no further forward.

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Yellowheart · 01/09/2017 15:16

You are though. And this is the hardest part. Both times I felt a strange sense of relief when it was all over. I'd get back onto bpas if I were you and badger them, or if you don't feel strong enough get someone to do it for you.
The second time I had this procedure was actually in hospital. I explained to the consultant everything and he got the gynae department to do it the next day. Is that an option for you to speak with your consultant?

Yellowheart · 01/09/2017 15:17

Could you travel to an area covered by Marie stopes?

Original poster

SleepFreeZone · 02/09/2017 17:44

I got the phone call and now I have to somehow get myself to Richmond for 8.30am next week. Think I'll have to stay up there in a B&B or else I'll be leaving the house at 5am or something crazy.

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