Medical abortion experiences. Please help calm my nerves…

[xxmumof2]

Hi,

I have a telephone consultation booked tomorrow morning for an abortion. I’m around 6 weeks pregnant and opting for medical abortion, hopefully via post if the service agrees to this.

My reasons don’t need to be justified, and it would make the post long-winded, so if anyone is curious as to why, please check my 2 previous threads in regards to this.

On this thread I’m really looking for some experiences, advice, suggestions etc when it comes to medical abortion.

I have spoken personally to 2 people I know that have been through this and they have said it’s entirely painful, and I’ve read all sorts of horror stories about giant blood clots, non stop vomiting, pain worse or the same as labour contractions and more.

(I have 2 children, so if it’s worse than labour contractions I really am scared!)

I suffer with horrendous health anxiety which I’m currently being treated for suffering a long winded year of horrifying panic attacks that led me to believe I had a heart condition or heart attack (physical tests clear, heart echo completed, awaiting results but they said they didn’t see anything immediately concerning) so likely health anxiety and panic attacks causing this. I’m triggered by pain, illness, hospitals, medication and etc. so I’m beginning to get very scared about this abortion process. I also had sepsis in labour with my 2nd child and I am absolutely terrified of having it again.

Also, what would everyone suggest I have to hand on the day? Of course pain killers will be necessary but, is there anything else people did or used that they found helpful?

Im so scared and preparing for a hellish experience of pain, blood and god knows what else.

help!!!

Hi I took my pills for a medical abortion at 6 weeks 11 days ago.

In preparation I had pain relief ready, adult incontinence pants for over night, thick pads and sugary drinks to hand.

My daughter is almost 12 so didn't have to worry as such with childcare etc.

I didn't experience any cramping whatsoever and hardly any bleeding however I'm not sure this is normal or not.

I forgot to add I also used a tampon to ensure I pushed the pills far enough inside as I've short fingers 😅

I know it's easy for me to say try not to worry as I'm not you but everyone's experience is different. The way I looked at it is it could not be in any worse pain than giving birth and will be over very quickly x

i had a medical abortion in August at 6 weeks 6 days.. My experience was relatively ok. I took first tablet in clinic at approximately 7pm waited 36 hours and then inserted 4 tablets vaginally. Cramping started within the hour and i started bleeding quick soon after. I didn't need to take the second set of tablets. It was like an extremely heavy period but nothing like the horror stories i had read. I stayed in bed for the day to rest as i was weak but again, honestly nothing as bad as what i had read. I was up and about the next day with my 2 small kids but my husband was off work too which was great. i bled for approx 2 and half weeks. I got my negative test 12 days after taking tablets.
Stock up on drinks like lucozade and snacks like crackers etc and try to eat small but often. My nausea, breast pain etc was gone the following day.

Sending you big hugs and if you have any questions please feel free to DM me xxx

Hey, I’ve just come across your thread and I am in the exact same position.
I too suffer with health anxiety which resulted from horrific trauma experienced during child birth. Found out I was 5 weeks pregnant on the 20/9/23, I was due to go on holiday on the Friday so was told to not take them until I was home. I have since been putting it off and today I am 9 weeks pregnant knowing I have a time limit against me and been looking at the tablets since we got home from holiday.
I have called NUPAS and spoke with a nurse to ease my worries atleast 3 times. It hasn’t helped much. Just wondering how did everything go for you? I am quite far along so I am very anxious as to what to expect.
Hope all is well ❤️

Hey!
So I had mine last Wednesday like you I had worried myself sick to the point on the morning I was to take the 4 tablets at home I phoned the hospital and said I don't know if I could do it. This was only because I was so worried about the pain and bleeding. I sent my two children to school and thought to myself I need to do it this week and get it by with.
I took 2 ibuprofen with weetabix but was sick shortly after due to pure panic. I then inserted the 4 tablets vaginally. 2 hours had went by and no bleeding and then 45 mins later I started to bleed red. I held the hot water to my tummy all day. When I tell you it was bearable I am not just saying so. Would I want to go through it again? No but purely the fact that it's not a nice situation to be in. I spent majority of the day on the toilet to let blood pass. HOT WATER bottle was a must. I'm still bleeding 8 days on and slight cramps so I think what's been the worst part for me is how long it takes to get back to normal. Good luck!

Thank you so much for getting back to me. It’s given me some comfort not that you too are/ have been through this horrible situation but because your okay and had a bearable experience. I am speaking to a counsellor in the morning as the nurse I’ve spoken to 3 times 🤦🏼‍♀️ thinks it would help with my anxiety. Then I am to take the first tablet and second lot on Friday.
Its the health side for me & the unknown. When they read the risks to you those instantly stick out to me and I end up overthinking them to the point I get physically sick too.
I am glad you are okay ❤️ Thank you again

I spoke with a counselor as well it was nice to get my feelings out. No believe me I can completely relate to the anxious side of it. I take herbs to manage my anxiety as it's pretty bad. As long as you have someone for support there you will be absolutely fine. I had no side affects from any of the pills either. I think you can over read and get yourself too worked up. We should all stay off Google because barely any good comes from it when it's a medical question. Good luck ❤️

I am the same, I take herbs also because it’s that bad. I wouldn’t wish health anxiety on anyone. I am just waiting for the counsellor to call then hopefully I’ll feel I can take the first tab. I know you mentioned you have 2 children, I have 1. Did you need help or have help with them after you took the 4? I have 2 step children also which is their weekend to stay with us, just don’t know if I’ll be okay enough to have them all here xx

Oh what herbs do you take ?
I did need help, my mum stayed with me for 3 nights because I was emotionally and physically exhausted. As long as you are able to lie up and relax that's the main thing. Some woman are back to work the day after though so everyone is different. Let me know how you get on 😊

Hey wanted to check in and see how you got on?

Hey, thanks for checking in. I’ve not actually taken the tablets due to pure fear and anxiety. I just keep thinking of everything that could go wrong. I have an appointment on Monday at NUPAS to speak about surgical option but with local anaesthetic (fingers crossed as I don’t want to be put to sleep either) I think they will probably talk me into taking the tablets.
My anxiety is terrible. Hope your okay

Oh I'm sorry you have had such a tough time.
Maybe you would even feel better taking the tablets in a clinic and having Drs around you. I know how scary the unknown is and I know how much a traumatic birth can affect you. I really hope you're okay and have enough support around you

Hello, what was the outcome of this