Too early for medical termination

[Gingergee]

Feeling really deflated. Nearly two weeks ago I found out I was pregnant, I know it isn't the right time for many reasons but it has still been a hard decision to make. I had an appointment today for a medical termination but when i went for the scan they said they couldn't yet see a pregnancy - it was too early. I didn't even know that it was possible to be too early for the procedure. I felt I has to psyche myself up so much to actually attend the appointment and come to terms with everything mentally and emotionally. I feel the longer it's left the harder it will get. Has anyone had an experience of this?

Yes it’s a thing, around 6 weeks I think. They can’t terminate until they can confirm. I find it pretty annoying though, as in covid they sent the pills just on at home test results.
Fingers crossed the time goes quickly and smoothly for you 💐

Thank you, can I ask is this something you've been through before?

Hi OP. Who did the scan? Was it transvaginal?

Who is asking you to confirm the pregnancy via scan?

Went I went to Marie Stopes they didn't ask me for confirmation of pregnancy, just took my word for it.

Yes it happened to me. It was the nhs, I had to go and get scanned again in 5 days, they wanted me to wait longer but I begged and assured them my dates were correct. After the 2nd scan I took the 1st tablet, then had to return to hospital to take the 2nd tablet, I believe this has changed now, I think some places allow you to take the 2nd tablet at home and stay there. I’m not 💯 on that, it could have just been in covid

I thought they were doing the pills by post thing still ? Or has that finished now ?

I believe it has stopped. I know it was discussed in parliament, some mp’s did want to carry on sending them in the post, my MP wrote back to me saying he wouldn’t be supporting it and we would be reverting back to the old system

That’s a shame . I thought it was a good idea and much better for the women .

Definitely! If for no other reason other than the time and expense

@anywhichwaytoo hi, they did the scan at the clinic, yes it was transvaginal. I have to go back in 7 days time, but I'm worried it'll be harder to do in 7 days time. I already took 2 pregnancy tests so I am pretty sure.

@Catcrazy83 sorry you had such a crappy time with it. Did you feel any side effects after the first tablet? They've told me they can give me all the tablets to take home but they need to be able to see confirmation on the scan first.

When I had my initial telephone consultation with the nurse they said they ask some questions to see what treatment I'd be eligible for either post the tablets and that would take up to 7 days or I might need to come in for a scan and that would take a little longer. But I don't understand who gets to get the tablets posted if they need a scan to confirm the pregnancy?

I had a scan (for a much wanted pregnancy) last week, and they couldn't see anything other than a sac. I am also having to wait 7 days to see whether it's a viable pregnancy as I have had MMC's in the past.

I understand it's difficult waiting and regardless of outcome you probably still have symptoms etc but I guess there has to be a line drawn somewhere, if your pregnancy is viable then you should hopefully be treated asap.

No judgement here, btw. I have had a termination some years ago and also had to wait for a viability scan.

They are still doing the pills by post. I had a telephone appointment this morning, and after confirming medical details and dates, they are sending me the pills to complete the termination at home.

Really sorry you're going through this @Gingergee I know all the waiting around is torturous

@seasaltandsunscreen thank-you and I hope everything goes well for you. I hadn't heard of this before when wanting a termination. My thought process was the earlier the better but I didn't realise you could be too early.
Also because I can't take any further time off work, I have got to try and work it around work somehow and I don't really know what to expect and if that is feasible.

Totally get it - there is nothing worse than hanging around, regardless of what you want the outcome of the pregnancy to be.

I have everything crossed that you get the outcome you want and sooner rather than later. The bureaucracy is painful, and not entirely necessary but I guess the (seemingly arbitrary in this case) line needs to be drawn somewhere.

@OrangeySmorangey I don't really understand the eligibility for postal service. Well it is what it is for me now; I just wanted to get it over and done as soon as possible. I find the longer I'm waiting the harder it is, the what ifs creep in even though I 100% sure it's not the right time for me. I just know it's going to be so much more difficult for me to face in 7 days, and from what I've read probably more traumatic interms of pain and bleeding?

Hi hope you’re ok. I also needed a scan before they would issue the medication and they booked it for a week and a few days after my telephone consultation to make sure they would be able to see the pregnancy and check it was in the right place (not ectopic). I ended up being 5+4 when they scanned me. It’s difficult having to wait but they need to make it as safe as they can. They gave me the tablets straight after the scan for me to take at home xx

@lauren1ofeach hi thanks for your message. Tomorrow is the rescan day so hopefully they'll be able to see. By my calculations I'd be 6 weeks now. I'm feeling very nervous.

@Gingergee hope you’ve got on ok at your scan xx

Hope you are ok

Thank you for your comments and support. They saw what they needed to see at the appointment and gave me all medications to take home. I have just taken the first tablet this evening. Bit emotional but trying my best not to dwell on it right now. For some reason I thought they give you antibiotics as a precaution. Although they have given me some codeine to take if the pain is very bad. Has anybody had an experience that wasn't horrific? I have read lots of horror stories, people needed surgery because of lft over tissue and things. I don't know why I do it.

My medical termination story.
Found out I was pregnant 4th May,shocked worried anxious even though I have 2 children and happily married. My gut feeling it felt wrong. My youngest is 18ths and my mental side felt I wouldn’t cope with 3rd child. Husband was supportive in whatever route I chose. I took it upon myself to research how to go about a termination. Came across BPAS online rang on 5th May, operator arranged a consultation for the next morning. I spoke to a nurse for nearly an hour going through thorough health questions, personal questions at home, termination process. At this point I felt sick to my stomach thinking what an earth happens with the process and getting confused when and how many tablets to take and what to look out for if things are wrong!!!! At times my brain went blank but I knew the info booklet would be there to explain. I was informed 3-4working days for pills to arrive😞. I was feeling extremely anxious trying to plan in my head when would be suitable to start the pills with school runs and home life. Anyway pills arrived the next day to my shock!!!! Don’t know how I would of been feeling if the pills hadn’t arrived till 4days after consultation my brain would have been doing summersaults. I did book a private scan to make sure the pregnancy was in the correct place just for peace of mind due to issues from my last pregnancy. Scan showed 5Wks+2. No heart beat as it was too early, I did feel relieved as I caught it pretty quick and didn’t have any emotional ties to the pregnancy as things were very quick for termination process.
Straight after the scan I took first tablet 11am. Easy. No side effects. Until the next morn near enough 24hrs on the spot after I came back from walking my dog a good brisk walk and all of a sudden I got tummy cramps and bleeding, making me lay down feel nausea. Laid on the bed thinking I don’t even feel up to inserting the first 4 tablets vaginally as I felt awful but I got on with it and laid on the bed and relaxed. Within half an hour the pain eased slightly. I chose vaginally because I didn’t want to vomit the pills up and request more. Least I knew vaginally laying still was all I needed to do for 30mins. I took paracetamol and ibuprofen. Didn’t fancy taking codein they provided cos of chest pains and constipation side effects.
when I first got up needing a peeing 30mins after inserting first lot of pills. Heavy blood was passing it carried on like that for the afternoon. 2nd tablets I took 3hrs after first lot. By 5:30pm small lumps like mini marshmallows came out. The pain was just heavy dull period pains nothing I couldn’t handle. Yes the beginning was rather intense when I was due for first tablets but I guess my body knew to start getting rid of pregnancy naturally.
Im 12days post termination and still lightly bleeding.
I requested BPAS for phone consult because I was worried on day 8 due to tummy cramps and feeling extremely anxious at what my body was doing. The nurse booked me for a scan to make sure all is good with uterus. I can’t fault the team they have been amazing. But my god it isn’t easy to make that first step. Us women are amazing and how strong we can be.
All the best if you’re going through this you can do it. I was scared but yet it wasn’t as bad as I predicted. The pain was short lived. Message me if you need to chat.

Just read your post thinking of you. Xx

@Gingergee how are you doing? I’ve just joined and posted my positive experience.
If you need to message, please feel free. You will be fine. Do as the pills instruct x

@CockapooLover thank you so much for sharing your experience. I took the first tablet last night around 8 pm and just started light bleeding. They told me to take the second tablets 24-48 hrs after the first. I was going to take the second lot tomorrow afternoon as I had to go to work tomorrow but I'm wondering if this is the start of it too. I am currently taking the same point of pregnancy you were at I think. When I went for the second scan I was bang on 5 weeks and that too has helped me to deal with it to a degree. I was quite emotional last night, but I just feel tired and a bit sick today.

@Gingergee don’t be surprised if you start to bleed and feel uncomfortable. Mine did start on its own after that walk I took 23hrs after taking first tablet. I had a solid half hour of intense pain,I wouldn’t relate it to a regular period pain for me but that’s not to say your pain might not be as bad. But once I took the 4tablets things were not too bad and bearable to be honest. I think the anxiety of not knowing was worse. And worrying if the children would see me in pain. I used a hot water that was life saver my mum brought one round. That was attached to me!!!
see how you go. I just wanted to get the process done and move on. I’m feeling bit low in my mood at the mo. Doesn’t help cos my sister gave birth last night which is fantastic but a roller coaster of emotions for me. All these things we have to go through as a woman.
All the best for you. I’m always here if you need to message.
💫 x 💫