Medical abortion

[Mummy8908]

Hi All,

I hope you are doing well. This is my first thread on here, so apologies if I make any errors.

I just wanted some support really. I am almost 7 weeks pregnant, despite using contraception. It was completely unplanned and has really concerned me, as I am going through some health issues at the moment.

Due to my health issues, I have decided to have a termination. It really upsets me as I didn't want to go down this route, but Im not well. Luckily, my husband is very supportive and says my health comes first.

I have opted for a medical termination. I've been in and out the hospital a lot the past few weeks and I wanted to do the termination at home. My mum is available to look after me when DH is at work and DS is at school.

I am planning to take the first pill on Tuesday after my appointment and the second lot of pills on Wednesday.

Could anyone advise me who has gone through this? How did you manage pain wise? What pain killers did you take and when?

Please don't tell me horror stories or make me feel guilty. Like I said, it's for medical reasons. I believe women should have the option to terminate if they are not in a position or ready to have a baby. Contraception can fail at any time.

Thank you for all your support. ❤

Hi

I'm so sorry you're in this difficult situation.

I went through this yesterday at 6 weeks. I too, have a supportive marriage and other children but couldn't continue with the pregnancy due to health concerns.

The worst bit is taking the first pill - I did this on Friday. I just had to be brave and remember why I couldn't continue with the pregnancy. I inserted the tablets vaginally the next day and started bleeding heavily after 3 hours. For me, the pain felt like period cramps and I didn't need any pain relief. (I had ibuprofen and Codeine ready and would have taken it straight away if I needed it).

I passed a few clots and went through a lot of pads. The cramping was constant but bearable. I'm not particularly 'hardy' and I had epidurals with my children but the pain wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. I was able to continue with housework etc and care for my toddler.

I stocked up on comfort food, wore comfy clothes and tried to be kind to myself.

It's impossible to tell you not to feel bad (I've been in turmoil for 2 weeks) but in some situations we can't continue with a pregnancy. I'm grateful to have a choice.

Good luck. It's great your mum is supportive, let her look after you. X

Thank you so much for your reply, it means a lot to me. I'm prepared for pain so I will shock up on pain killers, maxi pads and hot water bottle . I've done the most awful thing and read up on many peoples experiences online, which has scared me. But I will try and be brave about it.

Your words have helped more than you know. Thank you xx.

Stock up**

I had a medical abortion last week.

I took my first tablet tues and then the 4 tablets internally.

I was 8.5 weeks. I've never had any children or been pregnant.
This was a first for me entirely.

The first tablet was fine, no side effects.

The 4 internal ones were ok for about 1.5 hours. The cramps were bearable.

About 1.5 hours in, the cramps got more painful.
I just laid on my front with my legs tucked under me and eyes closed. Kinda like attempted meditation if you will.

After 2.5 hours I started getting contractions once every 30 seconda or so.
These were pretty painful but each one didn't last long and as soon as it was over, I relaxed my body as much as possible and breathed.

This lasted around an hour before I suddenly felt a gush and that was it. The pain instantly stopped.

It's like someone flicked a light switch in my head.

After this, I just went to the bathroom and sat on the toilet, letting everything disappear into the ether.

Then I drank a load of lucosade to replace electrolytes, ate a load of salty snacks, then cuddled with my cats for the evening on the sofa.

Honestly, it's not as bad as the horror stories you read. But everyone's different.

I expect the reason I got contractions was due to never having had children.

I think if you've had children, it's maybe easier due to your cervix already being partly open anyway.

its 5 days in almost. I've had moderate bleeding but nothing too heavy.

Overall after pains have been very very mild. But I didnt get those until a few days after (apparently that's normal as the uterus shrinks).
I've been a bit gassy today but it's just myself and my cats and I'm sure they don't mind a trumpet tune or two!

I tried codeine and naproxen, but not sure how much they helped. They advise taking it 10 min prior to inserting the tablets, but honestly, the more painful parts took 1.5 hours to get to.
So I would say hold off until an hour in.

Brilliant thank you for your advice :). Yes I imagine the cramps will take a little time to build up in intensity. I will take pain killers an hour in I think, hopefully it helps! Thank you all for talking about your experience, I know its not easy to reflect on.

I hope everything goes well for you. I am about to go through this on Friday and did a lot of google searching due to my anxiety, probably the worst thing I could have done to be honest 😩 all you see is people posting the worst. I have found this platform to be very helpful.

I collect my medication tomorrow from hospital but start the process Wednesday (first tablet in the evening) then planning on doing the second stage Friday morning when my daughter is at school, my partner will be home with me.
I had a very traumatic labour 10 years ago and to be honest I love our family dynamic, I don’t want things to change! I know it’s the right decision but i’m terrified and have worked myself into such a state.
please keep us updated on how you get on ❤️

I hope everything goes well for you too! Reading stories online really messes with your emotions and thoughts right? I've been doing the same and I regret doing so.

I'm taking first pill tomorrow and the 4 other pills on Wednesday if the clinic allows me to. I will definitely keep you posted, please let me know how you are too. Its so reassuring to know I'm not alone in this. Such a hard time for us all. 🌹

I’m sure they will be fine with that☺️
I’m leaving a day between doses because I have a funeral on Thursday and don’t want to be in pain or bleeding. I’m so scared of the whole process but know I can’t have another child.
I read too much of what can go wrong/ the process not working and retained tissue etc and think that’s what has got me so worked up.
There is so many women on this platform that have positive stories so definitely helps ease some anxiety and make you feel less alone.
I actually found out on the 13th march I was pregnant, when I called my local hospital, they said I didn’t fit the criteria because I hadn’t missed my period for a week and to wait another week and call back. I’m so annoyed that I knew I was pregnant and they wouldn’t let me move forward with it 😢 I kept readying it hurts more the further along you are so that really got to me. I’m also taking my daughter on holiday on April 14 so just praying everything goes fine🤞🏼 I’ll keep you updated ❤️

Going by the date of my last period, I’m dated as being 5 weeks and 4 days. So I’ll be 6+1 on Friday.
Ill keep looking on here if you need to talk 🥰

I'm sorry to hear about the funeral, I hope everything goes as well as it can.

Yes exactly the idea of retained tissue also had me worked up. However, a friend very recently went through this and is ok now. So that gives me hope.

I also do not want another pregnancy. I'm already unwell, so facing a pregnancy will be difficult for me.

I'm stressed and worried but I know once I've taken the first pill at least my decision won't be up in the air and I will be following a straight path, if that makes sense.

Thank for your support ❤ I'm also here if you need or want to talk xx.

Don't be scared.

Honestly, it's short term pain.

I've had pain worse than the contractions I was getting.
In terms of the retained tissue, think about % with that.

The chances are that won't happen and if it does, its treatable.

Just make sure you have something to replace electrolytes and get some snacks.

You've got this! You'll be fine.

Thank you so much, that’s good to know ❤️
when are you due to take your test they gave you?
Did you find your symptoms went soon after?
I’m just now starting to feel sicky if I don’t eat so need to constantly snack 🥴
Ill make sure I have Lucozade and some snack in 👏🏼

The sickness literally disappeared the next day.
I'll have to do the test in around two weeks time.

I'm confident I passed it though.

Although I've continued with increased migraines, I'm nowhere near as tired, im not feeling sick and boob soreness is minimal.

I hope everything goes ok for you today 💞

Hope you're doing OK today x

Hi All,

I haven't done it yet, waiting for pills through post :(. I hope you are all OK too xx.

Hopefully they come soon for you 🤞🏼
Im taking the first pill tonight at 8pm so I’ll let you know if I feel anything after taking that ❤️
I know I shouldn’t but I can’t stop reading other people’s experiences and story’s and totally making myself sick (on top of the morning sickness😭)

I have just taken the first tablet. Also took an anti sickness tablet 1 hour ago.I cried and it took me about 10 minutes to swallow it.
I know it’s 100% what I want but still feel a slight guilt. I guess that’s normal. It was more the thought of ‘now I have to follow through with the scary bit next’ that was making me scared to take it. I’m going to take the second part on Friday morning, so my daughter will be at school.
Hoping I can calm some of my anxiety by then 😭

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way :( you are so brave and strong. And you are doing your best in a very difficult situation. May I ask you, what anti sickness did you take?

That's exactly how I think. That once I take the first tablet, I will have to follow with the other 4 tablets. But we can do this!

How are you feeling now? Try to watch something on TV or Netflix that will distract your mind. Or read or do something with your daughter. I know it's all easier said than done.

Thinking of you ❤. Please pray I get my tablets soon! The wait is making me anxious.

Thank you so much, we are brave, we can do this 💪🏻❤️
I was given 5 cyclizine tablets with my prescription when I picked it up at the hospital. They asked on the phone if I had morning sickness and put some in. Did you go through the NHS?
If they don’t give you any I’m sure your GP will give you some if you explain. I don’t think I need them but good to have just insane. I think I’ll take one with some pain meds before taking the second tablets.

I have been laying in bed with my daughter watching silly videos on her phone and it has helped 😅 I’m almost at the 2 hour mark so that’s good. They said if you spew up the tablet within 2 hours you need to contact them and take it again. Although I haven’t noticed anything symptoms wise from it yet. I did put a pad on just in case I get spotting or light bleeding.

waiting for the tablets causes so much anxiety as you just sit and think/read the worst. I hope you get them tomorrow and it puts your mind at ease 🤞🏼 feels comforting knowing you are going through it as someone else 💞 let me know when they come.

Im going through the NHS route yup. Thank you for letting me know what your anti sickness is. I will try asking my GP to prescribe some.

Ahh yes majority of people said they don't feel much after taking the first pill. I hope I'm lucky in this respect! I really want my nausea to go soon too, can't function very well with it.

Kids are the biggest distraction aren't they. I've been busy with my son which takes my mind off all this. I hope my tablets come within the next day or so. Waiting really plays on my emotions.

Hope you are doing OK today. Have your pregnancy symptoms reduced after taking the first pill?

❤

You’re welcome 😊 I took two today as I had a funeral and the sickness is the worst it’s been. I found the helped if I ate some food with them. I had one last night without food and felt sick still.
did you pills end up coming today?

I got no symptoms from the first pill, not even light cramping. I was really worried about that too. I take the 4 in the morning when my daughter goes to school, I’m so scared but I feel more eager to do it with feeling so sick. Like yourself I find it really debilitating and really find it hard to function when feeling so sick 😭

I hope you are ok after the funeral. God I remember having hyperemesis during my first pregnancy, it was awful. Even nausea and just feeling out of sorts is tough to deal with, I hope you are feeling better 🌹.

So I am collecting my pills tomorrow. As I am working during the weekend I'm taking my first pill either Saturday or Sunday and the 4 pills on the Monday.

Don't be scared, we are in it together. You can do this. Make sure you are stocked up on pain killers, period pads for heavy flow, lucozade, light and salty snacks and have your hot water bottle ready. My mum also mentioned heat pads but I don't know where you can get them? I will ask her.

Take it easy and sleep well tonight. Thinking of you and sending hugs your way xx.

I’m doing ok thank you❤️
I woke this morning and was physically sick for the first time, not much came up as had no food in my stomach but it’s been hard. Just eaten a banana and taken an anti sickness tablet as I need the ibuprofen to stay down when I take that next 😩

Thats good that you get to collect them today, hopefully the anxiety will go away a little when you have them in your hands 🤞🏼
I bought a heating pad of amazing so hopefully that comes in handy today.

thank you 💞🥰

I'm so sorry you went through that :( I also vomited after brushing this morning, but not much came up either. Its a difficult feeling, hard to ignore.

That's good you are eating :) I'm eating light and often, I guess it's helping me.

Yes I hope so! I've been waiting a while to get the pills. I just want to start the process and get it over with.

Amazing! Where did you get your heating pad from?

I hope it goes as well as it can today. Please stay in touch. You will be ok, believe in yourself. ❤🥰

Oh and I've read on here that taking the extra 2 tablets (after taking the 4 tablets) helps get everything out.