Just wanted to share my abortion experience here because a few of the threads on here were really comforting in the run up to my own experience and i hope this might help somebody else.
I opted for a surgical termination under general, after reading some of the threads here. I was expecting to be told that I was too early for them to justify a general (7 weeks 3 days), but the nurse said it was my choice, and ran me through the pros and cons of each. They told me to bring a dressing gown and slippers on the day, and not to eat or drink from midnight the day before.
On the day, I arrived at 7.30am with DH. It was around 8.30 before they saw me, at which time I sent DH off to sort through a few errands he was going to sort while I was in. They ran through a few questions - was I still sure, etc. A few minutes later I was admitted.
They gave me a gown to put on and popped me on a reclining chair with a pillow and blanket, with a curtain for privacy. A lovely nurse came in and explained in detail the plan for the day so I knew exactly what’s to expect. As my BMI was over a certain limit, I first had to see the anaesthesiologist, and he ran through a few questions about my general health and looked at my windpipe. I was then back upstairs, where another nurse popped a canula into the back of my hand. It was uncomfortable, but certainly no more than a blood test.
They then brought me downstairs for the procedure. I was put on a cot and wheeled me in. This was the scariest bit, as at this point I couldn’t really get a good look at the whole room (and I’d taken my glasses off), and there were at least 6 people in the room - was very intimidating! A nurse asked me whether I was going on holiday, while the anaesthesiologist injected something into my hand, and a few seconds later they told me they’d see me in 15 minutes. It really was just like falling asleep and nowhere near as frightening as I imagined.
When I woke up a nurse was stood next to the bed. She explained all was well, and I had an oxygen mask on. She told me to stay put for 10 minutes while I came round. I was surprisingly relaxed and spent the 10 minutes happily watching the comings and goings. The nurse asked me if I felt okay, and asked if she could check how I was bleeding. The only evidence that id had anything done was a pad that they’d put between my legs. I had really little bleeding (a couple of spots at most), so I was put in a wheelchair, given back my dressing gown and slippers, and was wheeled back to the ward.
Once there, I was helped back into a reclining chair (this time with one of those plastic-y cotton mats on that look like a puppy pad). I was reclined, given a glass of water, and was told to settle in for 20 minutes. I was completely comfortable and perfectly happy tucked up and scrolling through my phone.
After 20 mins, the nurse came back with some antibiotics and the contraceptive pill that they prescribed me. She explained the purpose of the antibiotics (preventative rather than for treatment) and told me what to look out for and avoid in terms of infection.
She then came back with a cup of tea and some biscuits (v much welcomed after nothing since yesterday). I had no problem scarfing them down. After that, she said that I’d have to go for a wee before I left. The bleeding was really minimal (a little spotting if anything), so I was told that when I was ready I could get dressed and call DH to collect me.
I was absolutely amazed throughout by the care I received and honestly thinking about how frightened I was and how wonderfully everybody looked after me I feel choked up.
On the way home, the bleeding turned suddenly v v heavy and it flooded out of a nighttime sanitary towel as I got out of the car. I was worried and considered calling the clinic back, but DH pointed out that it was the first time I’d really walked anywhere, so not surprising that gravity had worked all of a sudden.
I went straight to bed. Having struggled with nausea for 3 weeks beforehand, it went away at once, and I wanted all the food I’d gone off previously, so I sent DH off to make me some lunch. I began to have cramping from a couple of hours after I got home - similar to particularly bad period pains. Nowhere near as bad as I thought though and manageable with co-codamol and rest.
From the end of the first day, the bleeding has settled to like a medium-light period and the cramps are still like bad period pains but manageable. I spent today (the second day) in bed, but got up and dressed to pop out for a quick dinner and get some fresh air. I’m really lucky that I have the option to work from home tomorrow which I will do, but if I did need to go to the office I wouldn’t be worried.
Overall, I wanted to share that my experience was overwhelmingly positive, and while I wouldn’t like to be here again, it certainly didn’t justify the weeks I spent obsessing and worrying.
Note - I’ve not discussed the emotional impact of the procedure, I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment given how different other people’s situations are. While I’m really sad, i knew throughout that this was the right decision for me and so far haven’t regretted it.
Sorry to ramble - I hope this can help somebody else’s decision!