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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 abortion - no anaesthetic??

57 replies

LemonadeRemedy · 20/02/2018 16:51

Currently weighing up my options regarding my upcoming termination and wondered whether anyone else has experienced a surgical termination without anaesthetic?

Currently very early on, around five weeks pregnant, I have an intital consultation booked tomorrow with Marie Stopes and am hoping to have the procedure done in the next week or two so wouldn't be more than around 7 weeks pregnant.

The options on the website are general anaesthetic which I'm reluctant to have; sedation which I've had for a previous op prior to receiving GA and it felt horrible so I'd rather avoid that; local anaesthetic or none at all.

I have anxiety issues relating to taking medication so would rather have little to no pain relief but not sure whether this is the best idea??

One other important detail is that I'm probably going to go alone and the clinic is about a 1 1/2 drive from where I live so GA/sedation is not really an option as I'm assuming I wouldn't be able to drive following either of those?

If anyone has any experiences of a surgical abortion with local or no anaesthetic I would be so grateful to hear them. There isn't really anyone IRL to talk to about this.

OP posts:

FrancesHouseman · 20/02/2018 16:54

Does it have to be a surgical abortion? Why not a medical one? No experience of a surgical abortion without anaesthesia but have had a medical one and only needed painkillers afterwards.

FloatyFlo · 20/02/2018 16:54

I had idea surgical terminations could be done under anything other than GA! I had a termination 10 years ago through the NHS and there was no other option given.

So sorry I have no advice but for you x

FloatyFlo · 20/02/2018 16:55

I had NO idea -

Warsaw0912 · 20/02/2018 16:56

I had a local anaesthetic, gas and air at my termination about 8 years ago, I was also about 7 weeks. I didn’t drive myself home.

BackToThe90s · 20/02/2018 17:04

I don't think I would want it to be done without GA tbh. Mine was a case of had the injection, went to sleep then woke up none the wiser of what happened and it was over. They gave me some sandwiches to eat after and made sure I was ok and then I walked home. I don't think I would want to be awake for it but that of course your choice x

PonderLand · 20/02/2018 17:12

I'm not sure what it's called that I had, but I never fell asleep, there was a woman talking to me the whole time but just before the procedure started is where my memory is completely blank, even though I appeared awake/chatty etc. I came round when I was mid walk which was very confusing and upsetting but I was also young and unsure of my choice so that could of effected my immediate reaction. If I had to do it again I think I'd choose to be completely asleep and unaware of it all. I had it done at maree stopes also.

PonderLand · 20/02/2018 17:14

Just googled, it was called conscious sedation I think. It's very very confusing when you come round, it's like you've been there all the time but still can't remember what you did/said.

UndomesticHousewife · 20/02/2018 17:34

I had a d&c after mc and i think this is the same procedure as a surgical abortion? If so I really wouldn’t want it done without anaesthetic as I’m sure it won’t be a comfortable procedure.
I was given a ga and it was a relatively light one as the procedure doesn’t take long, I was home and fine the same day.

Original poster

LemonadeRemedy · 20/02/2018 21:22

No I wasn't aware the procedure can be carried out without anaesthetic until I researched it the other day; when I supported my friend through one about 12 years ago the only option seemed to be GA.

I have considered the medical but I'm scared about going through it alone, especially as I'll be an hour and a half - two hours from home. The surgical option seemed more suitable as hopefully it would just be over with quickly, rather than having to deal with the drawn out process of having to wait it out at home if that makes sense?

The conscious sedation sounds quite scary, definitely don't like the sound of that!

Do you still have to have someone to collect you if you have GA?

Ugh I feel so torn by the whole thing, hopefully the consultation tomorrow will clear my mind a bit.

OP posts:

ooohlalaa · 20/02/2018 21:28

I had a surgical abortion with no anaesthetic or sedation. This was about 2 years ago at Marie Stopes. It did hurt but not unbearably so and only for a short while, as soon as it was over the discomfort went.

rickandmorts · 20/02/2018 21:37

Hi OP, I've had two medical abortions and both were absolutely fine. I didn't start bleeding for about 4/5 hours after I got home so you should have plenty of time to get home. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me and , it's not an easy time x

rickandmorts · 20/02/2018 21:38

Ps I was alone for both of them

Elle8989 · 20/02/2018 21:45

Hi. I had a surgical abortion under conscious sedation.

The nurses and doc were really nice. It just relaxed me out and hardly took any time. I wanted surgical as it actually seemed a lot less painful than heavy bleading for hours.

The only thing is I don't think you have a choice about going alone. I could have easily got the train home (I don't drive) but had to have a companion. Annoyingly it meant I had to tell someone. So I'd check you can go alone.

Sedation seems scary but early on they don't want to give generals. In a way I was less scared not being put to sleep. It was fine and then you have a sugary tea after and can leave. I was only 4weeks and it was completely pain free.

soupforbrains · 20/02/2018 21:46

It very much depends how far gone you are and which kind of abortion you opt for.

If you are 7 weeks then a vacuum aspiration would still be an option. That can be done with or without sedation. They don't do it with GA as far as I'm aware. They just inject local anaesthetic into the cervix.

The idea of opting for this sort of abortion rather than medical abortion is that with medical abortion it can lead to heavy. Ramping and bleeding for up to 3 days afterwards. Whereas with a surgical abortion once it's done it's all done.

Elle8989 · 20/02/2018 21:52

Sorry reading soupforbrains I meant a vacuum aspiration. Also wanted to say it's obviously your choice and you're seven weeks but just giving my experience.

NotUmbongoUnchained · 20/02/2018 21:52

I’ve had a medical abortion, it was just a few pills and all over within a few hours. I’d say that’s nuch easier than going the surgical route.

Original poster

LemonadeRemedy · 20/02/2018 22:04

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply, it's so helpful. My head is all over the place at the moment so it's good to be able to talk through things on here.

So with a medical the bleeding doesn't start until a few hours after the second dose of meds? I guess I'm put off after reading various horror stories online about it being the most painful thing ever and really traumatic. I have given birth twice and am also very used to horrendous period pains and heavy bleeding, assuming it couldn't be that much worse than that?

Sorry for rambling, I only found out at the weekend so currently trying to process it all while also dealing with work, kids, etc.

OP posts:

rickandmorts · 20/02/2018 22:12

No you should have plenty of time to get home. As I said it took me about 4 or 5 hours to start. It was quite crampy and uncomfortable but I don't get bad periods and I thought it was fine, they gave me codeine to take at home but I didn't need to. So if you have horrendous period pains and have had a baby I think you'll be okay, although I appreciate everyone is different . Just make sure you're at home because the bleeding was heavy and big clots would come out. The next day the bleeding had subsided and then I just had similar bleeding to a period for a few weeks after before it all died down. The physical aspects really weren't as bad as I thought they'd be

NotUmbongoUnchained · 20/02/2018 22:15

My abortion was only a few months ago, and where I am it’s all one does now. You don’t take any pills home you take them all infront of the nurse (and one up the bum!)

rickandmorts · 20/02/2018 22:17

Up the bum?? What on earth does that do

DustOffYourHighestHopes · 20/02/2018 22:19

Op, asking sympathetically and hoping to help - why are you against GA?

mogulfield · 20/02/2018 22:25

I had a missed miscarriage and nobody even really mentioned surgical, I was pretty much just told to go for medical (I was 14 weeks).
One pill, then a pessary and 3 hours later I was free to go home.
It wasn’t that painful at all (mild period cramps) and bleeding. Surgical under GA would be a much larger undertaking than what I went through.
I’ve suffered awfully with anxiety so I know what it’s like and for me this didn’t make me panic at all. I hope you’re ok whatever you decide

NotUmbongoUnchained · 20/02/2018 22:26

rick
Something magical I assume!

YorkshireLurker · 20/02/2018 23:36

Hi OP

Due to a mix up when I went for a termination with sedation, they couldn't let me have it and I didn't want to reschedule so I went for non anaesthetic so it could be done that day.

Not gonna lie, it was painful, like a really strong period cramp in a small area. The nurse held my hand and I thought I would faint with the tension and stress.

I would definitely take the sedation as it's far far less traumatic and you're not out of it, just a little bit more relaxed. The tensing and worry was awful and I wouldn't go through it again.

Hope this helps

YorkshireLurker · 20/02/2018 23:37

They also very very rarely consider GA unless you're very far along. For 7 weeks it's very unlikely they would allow it xx

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