4 weeks wait for surgical abortion

[Meeko93]

Had my first appointment yesterday with bpas had to drive over 1hr 1/2 for them to only go through the form I did online. Was only in there 15 mins as was told on phone that I would have my scan and blood test but nope I got to go to another centre tomorrow for the scan and blood. I’m 16weeks now and she said the earliest appointment for the surgical is in 4 weeks time but it’s not been booked as got to have my scan tomorrow then they will book in so wait might be even longer. I’m really stressing out as I want it gone asap I stupidly thought it all be over within a week but it won’t be until I’m 20 plus weeks. I don’t think my mental health can take waiting that long I’m crying everyday and thinking it be easier to just end my life then wait. I keep telling myself it’s only 4 weeks but it’s ages away I don’t want to possibly get a small bump or feel it move as that will send me over the edge. Has anyone managed to somehow get a sooner appointment then they said?

[quote Jersey11]@Luckyme30 I completely agree. I think that if the wait is longer than a few weeks then they should offer it in hospital. I have to travel an hour and a half for mine on the 23rd. I called them on the 3rd, had my consultation 2 weeks later on the 16th, yesterday, and then my surgical is booked in for the 23rd, so all in all it would have been 4 weeks since first calling them. I know I am one of the lucky ones but even then, I think 4 weeks is ridiculous and especially when so many emotions are involved, it is really unfair. Especially because the symptoms become more and more apparent everyday, it is a constant reminder and I think when you have made your decision, you just want it done. The other other thing I can think of is attending A&E and saying it is affecting your mental health, they might be able to get you into your local hospital sooner? Thinking of you xx[/quote]
Sorry I am getting all my dates mixed up! My scan is on the 23rd but surgical is on the 2nd, so 4 weeks since first call

@Jersey11 I guess at least once you had your consultation they’ve managed to book you in quite soon after. Irs still very unfair and I agree with everything you’ve said, the further along it gets the harder it is to hide/ignore :(

It really is affecting my mental health in a huge way, I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do :(

Where are you having your surgical and is it under a general or local? I am south east and it seems no local clinics offer surgical/ or much else which means travel whatever option :(

I’m adamant I would like a general because after having a failed medical many years ago at 17, I had retained products and ended up needing a surgical under a local, it was horrific and I said I would never ever get in this situation again so I never had to experience it again :(

I may have to bite the bullet and go under a local because I don’t think I have any other options as it’s looking like the general is going to be impossible with no transport :(

I feel so drained trying to organise this x

@Jersey11 my gosh! Are you having to wait that long for a scan! Crazy! Can I ask how many weeks you’ll be?

@Luckyme30 I am having my surgical in Bournemouth and it is under local with sedation. I have seen lots of posts about it not being half as bad as people thought it would be so hopefully I am going to be fine. hadn't of snabed the appointment on the 1st, I would have had to have waited until the 2nd April as there were no other appointments in Southampton, Bournemouth or Portsmouth. I'm 7 weeks right now so that would have taken me to around 13 so I am so lucky I did.

@Luckyme30 I found out on the day of my first missed period and I knew the exact date that I conceived so I am 4 and a half weeks right now from conception but 6 and half from my last period, which is what they go off of isn't it. I'm lucky I found out very early so I will be just over 7 when I have the procedure or just over 9 if counted from last period

@Jersey11 are you very local to Bournemouth? I’m so worried reading this, im closer to Oxford but I think the nearest clinic to offer sedation/general is Bournemouth!

I just hate that there is such a wait, im at my wits end of what to do to deal with it.

If I have to wait until April im going to be way past 12 weeks and im not certain I could go through with the procedure, not to mention how I would keep it from work/family/friends as it could be much more visible by then.

Im truly horrified to be in this position. X

@Luckyme30 I am an hour and a half away from Bournemouth, my local clinic would be Portsmouth, I am about 20 minutes away which would have been perfect but nothing until April apparently. I have my scan in Portsmouth but I have to travel an hour and a half to Bournemouth for the procedure, but luckily I have my mum to take me and bring me home. I hate complaining because I know we are so lucky to have these free services available to us but they do make it so difficult and so much harder making us wait :(

@Luckyme30 When is your consultation?

@Jersey11 ahh ok, it’s still a long way to travel then.

With the sedation we’re you told you had to have someone with you?

My consultation (by phone) is next Tuesday afternoon but I think because I’ve had a cesarian (and also a miscarriage (which was managed by a d&c in October last year) they are going to want to scan me and also probably won’t be suitable for a medical procedure so will almost definitely only be allowed local or general.

I am so grateful that we have these options here but as you say it’s the time spent waiting. I’m at such a loss, I don’t know if they will take my circumstances into account and contact my local hospital to see if it can be done there - I think if there is a medical need there are ways it can be done in a hospital but I’m too scared/ashamed to contact them myself as I know ill experience judgement for my decision.

@Luckyme30 Yes, with sedation I have to have someone pick me up and stay with me for 24 hours after. They told me that if I did not have anyone then I would just have to have local. I can't believe they have left you so long just for a consultation. I pray that there is a cancellation for you when you have your phone call and they can get you in quick.

Don't be afraid of being judged at all!! If I were you, I would wait until Tuesday to see what date they give you and then if it is more than a few weeks, I would make an emergency appointment with your GP, tell them that your mental and emotional health is suffering severely, especially due to your miscarriage, and you need it done sooner and they may be able to get it done for you in a hospital sooner. xx

@Jersey11 oh wow really? Ok I guess I might be left with the option just to have it under a local then as I can not being my partner and young child to the clinic :(

Thank you, I think as you say o will see what can be offered to me and if there’s too much of a wait I’ll try my GP.

I know when I had a missed miscarriage I opted for surgical at the EPU and the nurse there was absolutely horrible to me, she said she couldn’t understand why I would want a surgical procedure instead of waiting for it to all happen naturally. Especially as my partner does not drive, she was just vile, so I always worry that I will be judged for being ‘demanding’.

I have PTSD from the last Gynae procedure I had and this all stems from that, partly the reason why I don’t feel able to continue with this pregnancy.

I really hope all goes well with you when you get the procedure - please let me know how you get on xx

@Luckyme30 Oh I'm so so sorry. This is not an easy decision for anyone so the fact she was horrible, just disgusting. But please don't worry because the midwife who did the consultation for me was amazing. I at first opted for medical because I am so early and we spent an hour on the phone going through everything and then after we got off of the phone, I thought about it for a few hours and I decided I wanted surgical. So I called back and asked the reception lady for a call back from the original midwife, she called me a few hours later and I was so worried she was going to think I was being difficult and wasted her time but she was so lovely, booked me in and we were on the phone for another 40 mins going through everything and she was more than happy to so please don't worry. I know you probably don't have it in you right now but fight as much as you can to do whats right for you xx

@Jersey11 thank you! That makes me feel a lot better about the situation.

I’m really hoping that once I’ve had the call on Tuesday things will be much clearer and I can start to look forwards.

Thank you for all your support on this thread! Xx

@weeeeeeeeee I believe you are referring to the same clinic I chose to use, will be going in next week. Would you care to share your experience please?