I'd like to share a positive experience of Surgical abortion for anyone who is about to go through this, I found so many conflicting accounts which added to my anxiety the last few weeks.
I realised I was pregnant very early on, literally the day after my missed period at 4 weeks. Straight away knew I needed a termination(3 children already and lots of financial commitments), husband felt exactly the same.
I spent that evening researching how to book an abortion, MSI was the only organisation that covered me under the NHS (I'm in Essex). I contacted them with an online form and received a phonecall back the next day. I answered lots medical questions and discussed options. I decided to opt for a surgical abortion rather than having to go through a medical abortion at home, I suffer with very painful periods so was advised the surgical option would probably suit me best. I was booked in for a scan at a clinic in Colchester for a few days later. I attended the scan and had to book to go in again for the following week as the pregnancy was so early on it wasn't detectable on the ultrasound. At the second scan they confirmed I was now 5.5 weeks and were able to book me in for a termination, this was booked for 10 days later in Buckhurst Hill, Essex. I was given a pill to take 2 days before my procedure to soften the cervix, I had a small amount of spotting 24 hours after taking this.
The clinic in Buckhurst Hill was easy to find and all the staff were lovely. The surgical abortion was done under general anaesthetic, a very light one and only took around 10-15 minutes. I've never had a general anaesthetic before, I laid on the bed speaking with the nurse as the anaesthetist inserted the cannula, and woke up in recovery, it was all done. I was a bit light headed from the anaesthetic but tea and biscuits made me feel much better, i was able to leave around 45 minutes later. I felt no pain afterwards at all, I had period like bleeding that evening but no painful cramps or discomfort. This seemed like a much better option for me as opposed to a medical abortion.