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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:

Nyetimber · 20/02/2018 23:47

You are required to have an accompanying adult with you for all surgical ToPs with or without anaesthetic or sedation. You can’t drive after sedation or anaesthetic.
Medical termination with simultaneous administration might be your best option.

Smidge001 · 20/02/2018 23:56

I had a medical one at about 7 weeks I think. It really wasn't a problem. A few hours after taking the tablets before starting to bleed. and it was just like period pains. No need for anyone to be with you. I took normal painkillers but only coz I was worried it might be painful, but really it wasn't at all.

sinceyouask · 20/02/2018 23:56

I had an abortion at 9 weeks by MVA with no anaesthetic. For some reason I didn't even take paracetamol beforehand as suggested. It did hurt, it wasn't unbearable. Not comparable to labour. I'd prefer it over a medical myself.

Whatever you do, the very best of luck

GimbleInTheWabe · 21/02/2018 09:58

Hi OP
I had a surgical abortion at 7 weeks without anaesthetic 2 1/2 years ago at Marie stopes. Like a PP said it was like a really strong period cramp, very uncomfortable feeling but was over so quickly and I'd put it at 5 on a pain scale. I breathed through the pain and tbh I would definitely do it that way again. I saw the other ladies coming out that had been sedated/GAd and that looked far worse imo, though of course it's totally your decision. If you're going to drive home definitely give yourself plenty of time to recover in the room afterwards, don't rush yourself out. Take a hot water bottle with you and see if they'll fill it up for you, that helped so much. I think they give you some pain relief afterward like paracetamol or something but maybe bring some more with you just in case and I course bring some maxi/night time pass too. Afterwards it felt like a really bad period so I'd suggest taking a lot of breaks whilst driving though really id say try and stay in a hotel or something as driving could be hard. Do dm me if you want to ask me anything else if you like

Original poster

LemonadeRemedy · 21/02/2018 17:51

Really torn now about which option to go for (medical or surgical).

The phone call from Marie Stopes will be in the next hour so hopefully that will help to make up my mind and clarify things.

I'm so scared of the medical option but I need to be able to drive home, won't be able to stay in a hotel as I'll need to get back for my children.

OP posts:

Luckyme30 · 21/02/2018 17:54

Hello just thought I would chip in. I am recovering from a surgical termination under a local anaesthetic. I had the procedure last Thursday.

I've also had the medical option previously and had so many issues with it, severe heavy bleeding, infection and retained products which meant that I had to have the surgical option anyway (under local).

Personally I would go for the surgical as my recovery has been much better with a lot less bleeding and I would say I am back to normal already (less than a week after the procedure).

It really was over with in 5 minutes and the nurses were very reassuring (I suffer anxiety) and so was very nervous - that probably didn't help the pain for me but I got through it. I was advised by the clinic to take 800mg ibuprofen before the procedure which I did: I can't say it made it any less painful but It's short lived pain. The doctor inserted more local anaesthetic as she could see I was struggling with the pain, so if you struggle they will stop if you ask.

Take care of yourself, it's not an easy thing to go through. If you need anymore reassurance/info feel free to ask. X

Luckyme30 · 21/02/2018 17:56

Just seen your last message - if you have the procedure under local you can drive home. They will keep you in recovery for about half an hour after the procedure. I was then free to go but told to stay close to the local area for the next 24 hours in case of any emergencies. All went well.

Original poster

LemonadeRemedy · 21/02/2018 20:53

The conversation with the woman at Marie Stopes was not as helpful as I'd hoped. I understand she needed to get on and phone lots of other women too but it all felt very rushed.

She went through my medical history and then said they don't recommend the surgical method for a pregnancy that's less than 9 weeks... I said I would prefer that method and she asked whether I would like a general, sedation or no anaesthetic... She said they do not offer a local anaesthetic so I opted for no anaesthetic so that I'll be able to drive home afterwards.

The appointment is booked for this weekend but I feel as though that's too soon if that makes sense? I want to get it over and done with but at the same time I want to be 100% certain that this is what I want?

It's good to see that the surgical method is bearable and a very quick procedure. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences, I really appreciate it.

OP posts:

BrutusMcDogface · 21/02/2018 20:58

I had it with just a local, think it was vacuum aspiration as mentioned above. Was fucking traumatic and horrendous and I couldn't/can't get over it. I'm sorry if I'm being too honest. It felt horrible. Is there any way you could get the ga and have someone pick you up? Any way at all?

BrutusMcDogface · 21/02/2018 21:00

So sorry we cross posted then.
If it's any consolation it was reasonably quick, and I was about 7 weeks.

PonderLand · 22/02/2018 13:09

If it feels too soon and you aren't 100% then I think you should cancel the appointment. See if they have any counselling services available, I remember speaking to a woman on the phone (from Marie stopes) before I was decided on what to do.

You can ring them again when you want the procedure. Mine was booked within a couple of days of ringing and I preferred that to waiting longer and allowing the pregnancy to keep progressing. I hope you're okay OP, it's a very difficult thing for someone to decide/go through and it's wise to be completely informed before making a decision.

user1474652148 · 22/02/2018 13:20

The medical option would be easier for you and you won’t need anyone with you.
I had a surgical with no ga and it was incredibly stressful and upsetting. I felt violated and traumatised afterwards.
I took the train home and was okay, although the clinic said I needed someone with me. That experience has lived with me forever and I can’t recommend it to anyone....
Consider the medical option I would have done this if it had been available. It is a god send.

Glazedover · 22/02/2018 13:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user1474652148 · 22/02/2018 13:26

I don’t want to upset you when I say this but you need to be prepared to listen to everything that is happening. It was horrendous. I have never got over it. It was very uncomfortable and horrible sensation. I felt like I was going to faint whilst it was happening. The atmosphere was very businesslike I got the impression they were trying to avoid tears or upset so just got on with it. I have never forgotten how awful it was.

If you are undecided then you More time. I was totally certain and it was still horrendous. Much better to be under GA or medical option and oblivious. Less traumatic definitely

user1474652148 · 22/02/2018 13:27

You need more time

billybullshitterz1 · 22/02/2018 13:45

I Had vacuum aspiration ten years ago. The procedure was unpleasant but not horrendous. A friend drove me there and back and I was able to pick up my DS from after school club later that day. I was back in work the next day. In my mind it was something I needed to get through. Having a child at that time was not an option as I have my other children to think about. Do what's right for you op. I personally wanted the whole thing over with and chose the option that allowed be to back to normal as quickly as possible. I have no regrets

sinceyouask · 22/02/2018 14:24

@user1474652148 I don't want to come across as unkind here, but you keep telling the op that her experience will be as bad as yours, when for many of us surgical abortion without anaesthetic was not traumatic at all. I am sure your posts are very, very well meant and that you are seeking for her to avoid the suffering you underwent, but the way you are approaching it is making me quite uncomfortable.

BackToThe90s · 22/02/2018 14:51

If you feel it's too soon then cancel the appointment. I say this because when I was wanting a termination (I've actually had 2) the appointment wasn't for a couple of weeks due to it being quite busy and I almost cried at the thought of the process taking so long because I just wanted it over. If they had said yes your appointment is this weekend I would have felt relief and happy knowing it was going to happen quickly - that's how you know how you really about it. If you were really sure you didn't want to go through with the pregnancy then you wouldn't be thinking the appointment this weekend is too soon, you'd feel relieved and have it tomorrow if you could.

Take some more time to think what you really want x

Luckyme30 · 22/02/2018 16:19

I agree with the above ^^ the wait for me (nearly 2 weeks) was horrible, I think you need to take some time to really think about what you want to do, sure I do have moments when I regret my decision but overall I feel I made the right choice for me at the time. It's an emotional time as it is and so you need to be so sure it's what you want.

Also agree with the above poster regarding the negative experiences of surgical with local - yes it is unpleasant but the whole experience is unpleasant, in my opionion the recovery time for the surgical is much quicker, having had both surgical and medical options and ending up needing surgical after medical I would suggest maybe talk to the clinic about your concerns. They should be able to advise you best on your individual circumstances and which treatment would be best suited to you :) x

Original poster

LemonadeRemedy · 22/02/2018 17:33

I have cancelled the appointment for this weekend and booked one for 3rd March instead. My older children will be at their dad's for the whole weekend so I'll be able to go home and not have to worry about looking after them.

There is undeniably a part of me that would love to continue with the pregnancy but unfortunately it's just not possible. I have got two children already and definitely hadn't planned for any more. Also DP (not father to my older children) is quite a bit older than me, he has adult children and definitely does not want to become a dad again although he gives the the whole "I'll support you whatever you decide" spiel

I'm happy to read experiences from anyone willing to share and I had wondered about what it would be like to hear the vacuum aspiration as it is happening. I'm sorry others have found this traumatic, it's such a horrible thing to have to listen to.

OP posts:

sinceyouask · 22/02/2018 17:52

EVA is noisy; MVA is not.
When I had an abortion, the radio was on throughout (I can remember very clearly that they were reporting on the Prague bombing of the previous day).

FloatyFlo · 22/02/2018 19:58

May I ask where DP will be while you are having the procedure? Is it not possible for him to pick up after?

Original poster

LemonadeRemedy · 22/02/2018 20:25

He has offered to take me to the appointment and home afterwards but I'm not sure I can face him being there.

As it is I'm booked in for a no anaesthetic surgical procedure so I'll be able to drive home afterwards.

OP posts:

Luckyme30 · 23/02/2018 19:56

It is not the most pleasant experience but you will get through it. If it's anything like the clinic I went to the nurses will help you through.

I didn't hear any noise that was disturbing and they did their best to keep me chatting and keep my mind off what was being done :)

You will get through this, worst thing I did was work myself up into a panic minutes before the procedure. Try to stay calm and relaxed (as is possible) in this situation.

Could you take a friend with you for moral support? My partner came but he wasn't allowed into the waiting room (once gowned up) or recovery room afterwards (we were told it was to respect the privacy of others in the recovery room) but that probably varies from clinic to clinic.

Original poster

LemonadeRemedy · 28/02/2018 21:52

Yes a friend has offered to come with me, torn at the moment between going with her or going alone.

Lucky how did you calm yourself down? I'm worried I'm going to get myself all worked up on the day and then won't be able to go through with it. Did you have a local anaesthetic or none?

OP posts:

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