Surgical abortion - is it an option at the moment?

[Luckyme30]

I’m only 7 weeks pregnant and have requested a call back with BPAS regarding a termination.

Sad to say I’ve had a termination previously where I got retained products (using the medical management) also a missed miscarriage that meant I had to have a d&c.

I’m terrified of going down the tablet route again due to the previous complications I’ve had.

Has anyone successfully requested the surgical option at BPAS when you’ve been under 14 weeks pregnant? I feel like mentally this is the best option for me but terrified they will not allow it.

Evening, OP,

Just wanted to bump this for you in hopes someone is about now who knows more. Hope you get some useful answers.

Thank you :)

Hello and sorry to hear you're going through this.

I had a medical termination at 10 weeks last month. I went through BPAS and I'll be honest I can't remember if they asked me whether I had a preference.

In the end they couldn't help me, however I referred myself to my local hospital (called gynae department and asked if they have a pregnancy choices clinic).

They asked my preference and they were doing surgical terminations every Friday afternoon so they are available. I'd perhaps see what BPAS say but also contact your local hospital to see if they can help?

Also to add, BPAS did ask me about any previous pregnancies/terminations and complications of either of those so they will ask and advise

@squishymarshmellow thank you for your reply.
Ive just been given a date of 22 February for my first appointment with BPAS (over the telephone).

I could cry as that sounds a long wait to me!

Ive checked my local NHS hospital website and it states that they use BPAS.

I’m seriously concerned at waiting another 2 weeks just to speak to someone but terrified about calling my local NHS hospital and asking if they have a pregnancy choices clinic as I’m scared they will judge me based on my previous terminations!

[quote Luckyme30]@squishymarshmellow thank you for your reply.
Ive just been given a date of 22 February for my first appointment with BPAS (over the telephone).

I could cry as that sounds a long wait to me!

Ive checked my local NHS hospital website and it states that they use BPAS.

I’m seriously concerned at waiting another 2 weeks just to speak to someone but terrified about calling my local NHS hospital and asking if they have a pregnancy choices clinic as I’m scared they will judge me based on my previous terminations![/quote]
The wait is the worst bit! I enquired at BPAS on 14th December, consultation was 28th December and they asked me to go for a scan 100 miles away on 13th January because of my medical history.

I was feeling similar to you but the month wait and then uncertainty was too much for me. I just bit the bullet and called the hospital and my backup was going to be calling my GP.

I was completely desperate.

Absolutely everyone I spoke to was non-judgement and completely lovely. Those at the pregnancy choices clinic see women going through the same thing multiple times a day.

It's hard but you know yourself why you've made the decision you have, your reasons are valid and anyone who judges you (they won't!) it won't effect their life even 1% as much as it will effect yours.

@squishymarshmellow thank you so much! I know you are right it’s just so difficult to not feel judged.

I had an awful experience at BPAS when I had a termination and it’s really made me feel so anxious about the whole situation.

I am feeling very poorly with this pregnancy, both physically and mentally and the idea of waiting over 2 weeks to speak on the phone just fills me with dread.

Did the hospital website give any info on the pregnancy choices? Both the local trusts near to me signpost me to BPAS for abortion care

Sorry to hear you're going through this too. I can't offer any advice about a surgical termination in early pregnancy but just wanted to let you know that you can also try MSI choices. I had a medical termination last week and originally contacted bpas but, like you, found the wait was 2 weeks for the initial appointment, they said they were able to book under MSI choices as well & they were able to offer me an appointment a whole week earlier. The issue would've been a long journey if they'd wanted to see me face to face but fortunately I had no issues to prevent me receiving the tablets at home. I've now received & taken the tablets whereas I would have still been waiting for my phone appointment with bpas.

I hope all goes well and you're able to receive the treatment you want. Even if you're sure of your choice (like we were) it's still a really emotional thing to go through. I feel like I'm keeping some sort of awful secret & it really shouldn't be like that. Sending you a big hug.

[quote Luckyme30]@squishymarshmellow thank you so much! I know you are right it’s just so difficult to not feel judged.

I had an awful experience at BPAS when I had a termination and it’s really made me feel so anxious about the whole situation.

I am feeling very poorly with this pregnancy, both physically and mentally and the idea of waiting over 2 weeks to speak on the phone just fills me with dread.

Did the hospital website give any info on the pregnancy choices? Both the local trusts near to me signpost me to BPAS for abortion care [/quote]
It's ok! I know completely how you feel.

If you can't find anything on the hospital website perhaps calling your GP and explaining your history would help as they can refer you?

BPAS I found useless. I live in Liverpool and they said because I had medical history I needed to be seen.

They offered me an appointment two weeks later in Leeds at 8am! When I said that wasn't going to work they told me to call my GP and see if I can go through hospital route.

@Jsh125 thank you for the info re MSI, I am going to contact them now, though the only issue, like you is that I don’t live very local to a centre and I wonder if my past history means I would have to go in and be seen :(
Still worth a try they may be able to see me/speak to me earlier on.

@squishymarshmellow I think I’m going to need to call my GP to see if there’s anything they can do to help me.

I feel so ashamed as when I called to notify them of this pregnancy I had all good intentions to go through with it, things have changed and I am not coping well at all. I hope they will be understanding and perhaps I can be seen at my local hospital too.

Do you mind me asking how far along you were when you had the procedure? Was it a surgical?

[quote Luckyme30]@Jsh125 thank you for the info re MSI, I am going to contact them now, though the only issue, like you is that I don’t live very local to a centre and I wonder if my past history means I would have to go in and be seen :(
Still worth a try they may be able to see me/speak to me earlier on.

@squishymarshmellow I think I’m going to need to call my GP to see if there’s anything they can do to help me.

I feel so ashamed as when I called to notify them of this pregnancy I had all good intentions to go through with it, things have changed and I am not coping well at all. I hope they will be understanding and perhaps I can be seen at my local hospital too.

Do you mind me asking how far along you were when you had the procedure? Was it a surgical?[/quote]
Your GP has a duty really to offer you judgement free treatment. If they were judgemental of peoples choices I think they are in the wrong job!

I hope you get somewhere with your GP x

I didn't have surgical I had medical just because it was my preference. At my hospital appointment they offered me both options though. I was 10 weeks and 2 days, I contacted BPAS at 5 weeks and my hospital at 8 weeks.

@squishymarshmellow thank you so much for your words of encouragement.

Ive contacted MSI and they do not provide services in my areas so they have advised I contact my GP.

I’ll try and do this in the next few days. Fingers crossed I can get some help at the local hospital.