Vacuum Abortion awake advice

[Marie212]

I’m 11 weeks and 4 days pregnant and I’m booked in for a Vacuum abortion this Thursday and I’m petrified - I can’t have the local anaesthetic because I’m allergic to it and I’m only allowed paracetamol and gas and air.
I’m terrified of the pain most have said you get and I will be on my own. Although I have to have it because there is no heartbeat I still feel very guilty and sad. Any advice would be very much appreciated xx

I had one 20+ years ago. It was certainly uncomfortable but over really very quickly and all the medical staff were very kind and supportive. The absolute worst part was the days waiting for it to happen, I drank a lot of alcohol to block out the reality of what was happening (not recommending this btw) because its the emotional side that's the hardest. Physically you will be up on your feet afterwards and your body will bounce back. Best of luck.

I had one earlier on than 11 weeks so it’s not a perfect comparison but mine was essentially painless and I didn’t have gas and air.
I was terrified about the local anaesthetic injection in my cervix but I honestly didn’t feel it at all - didn’t realise he’d done it until he said.
There was some strong cramping during the actual suction part, that was the most painful part but it really didn’t take long at all. Afterwards I had bad period pains for a couple of days, and bleeding for a bit longer.

Can't they give you a twilight or a general? I personally wouldn't want to go through that without!

If you can tolerate it without feeling sick then gas and air can be fantastic. You feel spacey and floaty and you are distantly aware of the pain but not bothered. It comes in waves so you inhale until you can no longer be bothered to inhale then ride the wave and then when the pain bothers you again you inhale more. I had it in the ambulance after a severe break and it was very effective. Some people do feel sick with it though.

for your loss

They won’t give me a general I have asked - I’m constantly sick and have been for about 8 weeks, I have been in hospital lots with dehydration because everything I try to get down comes up - thank you so much for your advice it is helping me a little with my nerves - all I have heated is horror stories about how painful it is - I only have to wait untill 9am tomorrow morning now and tbf I just want it to be over xx

I’m due to have it at 9am tomorrow and I can’t sleep I’m that scared :( I’m worried about the pain more than anything and all these painful stories has made me feel worse and I can’t shake them out of my head x

Honestly, go for the gas and air, you will feel a little lightheaded and might feel sick but it really does take the edge off it. Take deep breaths and don't stop inhaling until you can't be bothered to inhale any more. I found at the peak there was sort of a pounding, which I can only assume was my heart, and a sort of whiteness and floaty feeling. It can make you feel a little more emotional (and you will already be feeling emotional) but the healthcare team will have seen it all before and will just be glad you have pain relief. It leaves your system fairly quickly . I know I sound like a junkie but honestly never dabbled outside of medical necessity!

Maybe over the next few hours think about some plans for self care in the coming days. Some things you can do which will speed up your mental and physical recovery. For me there would definitely have to be chocolate, a hot, uninterrupted bath, coffee and cake at a cafe (when I felt able to), lots of Netflix.

Thank you so much for your advice - I’m just getting ready to go in after having about an hour sleep x

Good luck today @Marie212

I hope it's all over Marie and you're taking it easy at home.
Look after yourself .

I’m just finished and in recovery now - thank you so much for your advice regarding the gas and air - I don’t know how I could have done it without that and even then I still felt a lot of bad pain through it - the doctor and nurses where amazing and I had someone holding my hand.
I just feel very tired now and have slight cramps and some bleeding - I’m having a sandwich and a cuppa - although it was very painful it wasn’t for that long, I’m glad it’s done, it was really hard walking around with my baby passed away so I can rest now xx I really appreciate all your advice and thank you very much for your help xx

Glad it went OK and the gas and air helped a little. Time to rest up an recouperate.