Termination - choosing a surgical

[alpinemoon]

Name changed for this.

After feeling nauseous for a week or so I did a pregnancy test yesterday. Came up positive. Then did a clear blue digital which confirmed "pregnant 3+ weeks". It's been 7 weeks since I've had a period.

I'm 38, married and already have a child. I wasn't planning on anymore and have been using condoms. Husband on waiting list for vasectomy. We haven't had any "oops" moments to my knowledge so I'm really not sure how this has happened.

My periods have been irregular for the last year and after having a scan about 5 months ago I was told I had a large hemmoric cyst on one of my ovaries. Since then I've been waiting for a consultant gynae appointment. This appointment is in 3 weeks time.

I don't want to go ahead with this pregnancy. My mental and physical health is not good.

I don't think I can mentally go through with a medical termination by using the tablets. I want to have a surgical termination.
Do I need to go to my GP and explain the situation or can I self refer? Looked at MSI online and they seem to imply I need to go to my GP.
Or do I call up the gynae department where I'm waiting for my appointment in 3 weeks and see if they can help.

I'm not sure how far along I am as my periods are so irregular. I would assume maybe around 6 weeks.

It's all come as a shock and I'm panicking and anxious. Can someone please help me rationally decide how to go about this? Husband is supportive of decision. Thanks.

Hiya . As far as I know you only have to phone up the abortion provider. When I wanted a termination I went to my GP and he told me just to phone them myself . You can just type in google abortion providers near me and phone them. Mine was a while ago now but I’ve been reading on here that some have a long wait so you could try a few different ones . I hope everything goes well for you and your 100% sure of your decision x

As you have that cyst problem maybe you could just phone and check with them though incase it changes anything x

You can self refer on the MSI website via the form or calling them I think?

I’d recommend phoning. I filled in the form 2 weeks ago and although I’ve had an initial phone conversation I’m not even that close to a medical appointment. Best case it’s next week.

On the phone they asked my preferred method so I think that would be when you specify surgery? I asked for pills but I am not sure I’ll be offered them.. I seemed to tick a lot of boxes for haemorrhage and a doctor will apparently contact me. I suspect surgery will be my only option.

For me the longer this drags on I’m less sure I can go ahead - I just don’t want one to be too late, and despite doing the right thing early (I thought!) it’s not going that quickly. I’ve read about other people getting seen much quicker and perhaps they are phoning up.

I have had both and found surgical a much better experience.

I went to a local Marie Stopes clinic. You can ask to be referred through BPAS or go direct. I think medical is cheaper so there's a push towards that but you have the right to choose.

All of the women who work in the clinic were lovely, really supportive, and helped to create a calm, friendly atmosphere.

It's not an ideal situation obviously, but you will be fine.

Thank you for the replies

I've made an appointment to see the GP this afternoon to see what they suggest. I'm just wondering if the fact I have irregular periods, a cyst and I'm waiting on an gynae appointment might complicate things.
I don't want to contact one of the termination providers to wait a week for a call back only to tell me to go to the GP. I want to get this sorted as soon as possible.

Will update later on what the GP suggests I do. They might just tell me to self refer but thought I'd check it out.

Just to let you all know.

I went to the GP who just said regardless of everything I'd said I just need to self refer to MSI.

So I've called but there's a long wait so waiting on a callback.

Hi op. Call BPAS too they may be able to fit you in sooner

Got a consultation with MSI next Friday (1st) and to take it from there.
Was told I could opt for surgical but it would only be done with a local anesthetic, I thought I'd get sedated as well. But apparently I can talk it over next week and will also be scanned to see how many weeks I am.

@alpinemoon Have you tried bpas? I had a surgical on Wednesday and this was done with conscious sedation. Zero pain and almost immediate recovery.

I wish you all the best

Hi all just an update.

Had appointment with MSI today. They're doing a surgical but my only option is local anaesthetic which I'm a bit scared of. Don't know if anyone has any experience of surgical with a local?

Can't have it done until the 15th. So scared. So sad this has happened.

Bpas isn't available in my area.

Hi,

I had a surgical at 8wks with BPAS. I waited for 3 hours after the appointment time before I got prepared for surgical but that was the worst part.
I got called up, taken to a room to chang into a surgical gown and put my clothes and belongings into a locker. I then got taken to the room before the surgical room and waited for my turn laid on the bed. The surgeon introduced himself and explained the procedure. Got wheeled into the room and had to put my legs up into stirrups which isn't as bad as it sounds. There were more nurses/midwives in the room than I expected but all were kind. I had the sweetest nurse come to stand by me, reassure me and hold my hand and she spoke to me throughout the procedure.
I wasn't exposed until necessary so very dignified. First the speculum was put in. Then a cold feeling as the area was cleaned prior to injection into the cervix. I was worried this would hurt but as the surgeon explained, the area has very little nerves. I was told it may feel like a sting but I couldn't feel anything and hadn't realised it was already done. It was left a minute or two for the local anesthetic to kick in. Procedure then started. I could feel my crevix slightly but it wasn't painful. I did have quite strong period type cramps but definitely not unbearable and only lasted a minute or two and I was shocked when I was told it was already over. I was scanned throughout to ensure they were guided rather than going in blind! Then went to be checked up for 15m and got painkillers. Monitored and had a cup of tea and biscuit, got changed and then waited to be discharged. Drove myself home!
I did find I was quite painful and cramps did come and go, but I found the medical much much more painful and recovery time longer by weeks. I recommend taking a few days off after to rest, and in case you are still feeling some pain.
I hope all goes well OP

Thank you @Hilly87 for your detailed reply. I feel really unprepared and your story has helped a lot.
Glad your procedure went well.

I've got a long 2 weeks to have to wait until I go in for the procedure and need to be brave. I hope I have some nice nurses to chat to me and hold my hand for reassurance.

Thanks again.

I had my procedure yesterday in the end and just thought I'd pop an update on here incase it helps anyone in the future.

So I had to insert 2 tablets vaginally first thing in the morning and then got to the clinic at 9.

When I got called in the room I changed to a gown and had to lay down with legs in stirrups.

I had a nice nurse hold my hand throughout and talk to me about the weather and anything to take my mind off things!

It was a bit uncomfortable as the doc put the speculum in and opened it. She used a cold jelly to numb my cervix but seemed to proceed straight away so I didn't feel it helped much. It was painful for a few seconds as she dilated my cervix.
The actual micro suction only took a few mins and there was no sound which I wasn't expecting. Whilst that was happening I was having what I would describe as bad period cramps. There was gas and air available but as I was nauseous I didn't use it.
When it was all done and I was given an antibiotic in my back passage.
I was sent home with 4 tablets of antibiotics to take on the same day.

Afterwards I was taken to a recovery room where they monitored me for about 20 mins, took my blood pressure and gave me a drink. Then I went home and drove myself.

At home that evening I had period type pains for a few hours but this morning they have tapered off. She said to expect some bleeding for a few days but it's only been light so far.

In the last week i'd started to really suffer with hypermesis grav and literally couldn't keep anything down. Lost 7 pounds in 5 days.
I was given an injection of cyclazine whist at the clinic yesterday so I was able to keep the antibiotics down.
Doc said as my hormones settle over the next few days the sickness will go. The cyclazine helped.

All in all it wasn't as bad as perhaps I thought. It wasn't pleasant and was a bit painful but it was over quite quickly. I'm feeling a bit numb emotionally right now as I'm not sure how to feel.
In some ways I feel a sense of relief especially as the HG had been unbearable this last week but I also feel a sense of "what if" I've I'd continued with the pregnancy. Too early to tell how I feel right now I think.
So I'll be resting up today, holiday day from work and take it from there.

Thanks again for all advice and I hope posting this story of how it went helps someone else potentially going through the same procedure of a surgical termination with only a local anaesthetic.