Medical abortion,

[Jord8]

hi I don’t know if here is the right place but I’ve found out I’m pregnant with my fourth baby totally unexpected, we’ve just bought a house and I’ve just literally started my dream job so I’m not really wanting to keep but I’m so worried about the side effects of the medical abortion my husband won’t be home so I’ll be at home on my own taking care of my 2 year old and walking to drop my other two children off at school and I’ve done nothing but read horror stories! I’m petrified! Can anyone give me some advice thank you

I had it at 8 weeks it's not bad. It's just like a period. Please don't worry. Have you spoken to any clinics? There are lots of positive experiences on here.

Yes I've spoken to a clinic I have an appointment with them tomorrow, but I think I've scared myself abit too much and opting for a surgical as it's meant to be less painful.

It's totally upto you of course but have a look on the pregnancy choices section of the forum and lots of women share their experiences. You swallow one pill and then the next day you insert another 4 pills vaginally (really easily) they just slot in or even in you're mouth....make sure you take ibuprofen or co codamol (I just took two ibuprofen) and went to sleep. When I woke up I went to the toilet and passed something twice and then it was done. It was just bleeding with clots like a period afterwards. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Hi, sorry to hear you're going through this, I've had both medical & surgical abortions, both around 7 weeks so happy to share my story.

Medical the pill arrived the day after my consultation over the phone. The first, mifepristone were fine, nothing happened & no side effects at all. 24 hours later I took the misoprostol orally which made me feel really sick & had to lie down for a couple of hours but soon wore off, Bleeding started a few hours later & was barely heavier than a period, zero pain at all & didn't even take any paracetamol. Tailed off massively after the first 24 hours to a very manageable period like bleed, fully recovered quickly & cycle went back to normal immediately. Absolutely could have managed it without my husband if I'd have had to. Aside from him looking after the children while I had a lie down I really didn't need anything. I literally had one phone call & that was it, took the pills at my convenience. I'd heard horror stories too & it was a total non event physically, I guess often people are more likely to share their terrible stories than those which are more straightforward.

Surgical I had to wait a couple of weeks for the appointment as the clinic only did the procedure every 2 weeks by which point I got terrible morning sickness. Procedure was quick, fairly painful though & felt VERY emotional - it was obviously all quite clinical. The staff were really lovely but it was still a medical setting. I had a scan then the procedure so 2 appointments. I didn't stop bleeding & 3 weeks later was still getting a blazing positive so went back for another scan to find some retained products, took more misoprostol & nothing happened, had to go back for another scan then repeat the surgery so all in all it was 4 visits to the clinic which impacted far more on us all as had to get children looked after, husband had to take time off work & the whole thing dragged on much longer (even without the retained products it was a longer process).

It's so individual as to what is best for you & we will all have a different experience but really happy to answer any questions if it's helpful 😊

Thank you for sharing your experiences and the surgical must of been terrifying for you! I've decided to go with a surgical as I don't want to remember it plus I've recently started with a bit of health anxiety with being so poorly with covid 🙄 I have my first appointment on Tuesday 20th December but the procedure now won't happen until after Christmas and to top it off I've had to get anti sickness tablets off my GP as I can't keep anything down 😢😞! As bad as it sounds I just want it over with.

You're so welcome, hope it was helpful & feel free to ask anything else if you wish.

Glad you've been able to book an appointment but sorry you have to wait so long for the surgical procedure. Are you planning to go with sedation if you don't wish to remember any of it?

Hope the anti sickness meds work well for you - that was by far the worst part of the waiting, when I had my head in the toilet for the 4th time that day I didn't question why on earth I didn't just take the medical option.

It's so tough as both options have good & bad points but glad you've been able to make a decision that is right for you 😊

The sickness is making me question my choice never had sickness in my previous pregnancies I've got 3 children never suffered until this pregnancy! Took anti sickness meds yesterday and today and it's still not stopped the sickness don't know how I'll manage to get through Christmas trying to hide it I'm cooking so everyone's round at my house for Christmas 😩

Hi @Jord8 hope the anti sickness meds help soon, not sure if they take a while to kick in or if it's a case of they help / don't help.

I had sickness in both my previous pregnancies but this was so much worse, probably compounded by the fact we weren't keeping the baby so I knew I was going through it for no reason.

Perhaps at your appointment on Tuesday you can see how feel by then & you can always change your mind to ask for the tablets if you want to. I couldn't stomach anything for those couple of weeks I had to wait so can't imagine trying to get through christmas feeling like that, I really feel for you. I'm guessing none of the people coming on Christmas Day know?

I never wish to go through this again but if I did I honestly think I'd take the medical option next time, the 2 hours of feeling sick & the heavy period bleed was definitely preferable to 2 weeks of all day sickness & having to have the surgical procedure twice (although I was just unlucky, it's unlikely you'd need it repeated).

Here if you need, even if it's just to vent how sick you feel because I really do get it 😊