I wanted to share my experience so anyone else making this decision feels more educated about the process and feels less alone at such a difficult time. Please keep negative comments to yourself, thank you.
I had my surgical procedure last week with BPAS. Like other women when they have a termination, I did not reach this decision light-heartedly and it was very difficult for me to accept however it was definitely the right choice for my family and existing children. I didn't want to have a termination, I don't think anyone ever does, but it was the right thing for me to do at this time with the circumstances that my family and I are currently in. I was 9 weeks.
I took the mifepristone tablet 24 hours before my surgical appointment time the next day. I had no side effects from this and no spotting. I then took the anti-biotics I was given before I went to bed in the evening and unfortunately I couldn't keep these down. I don't know if this was due to the medication itself or my general sickness in the pregnancy which was bad from quite early on. I notified the nurse of this at my appointment the next day and she gave me another batch of antibiotics.
After arriving at my appointment in the morning, I was waiting about 30 minutes before being seen for the first time to have obs taken. This is when I took the first dose of my replacement antibiotics. Straight after this, I was taken through to another room to sit for about 10 minutes pre prep for the surgery. Prep then took about 10 minutes and I was able to go straight down to a small room beside the theatre room on a bed with no more waiting. I had a cannula put in and some stickers on my chest for monitoring during the surgery. The last thing I remember is being wheeled into theatre, seeing the surgeon and a couple of others around me and the anaesthetist explaining to me what he was doing step by step and that I would fall asleep in about 20 seconds. I fell asleep very quickly.
I had no feeling, pain or awareness during the surgical procedure. I really recommend general anaesthetic to anyone making this decision. I also woke up in no pain whatsoever and haven't taken any pain relief since (it's been several days now), but everyone is different and a bit of pain is fine as long as you can manage with relief. Period-like bleeding is what is to be expected after the surgery, which is what I am having currently. I had a little cry upon waking in recovery, I think because I felt so overwhelmed and these things aren't easy for anybody. I felt both relief and sadness. I knew what decision I was making as unfortunately I have had to make the same decision in the past.
I was kept in recovery for about 20 minutes so given plenty of time for the general anaesthetic to wear off. I was offered lots of water throughout this time and asked if I felt ok, or was in any pain, etc. I was given a pad and some comfy disposable pants to keep on for the time being. I must stress that throughout this whole experience with BPAS, the staff were absolutely faultless and never behaved in any sort of judgemental manner despite me being there for the same before. They all spoke to me professionally and like they were seeing me for the first time. Some of the staff members I was seeing for the first time. They were all great.
After this, I was taken to a room with recliner chairs and offered more water, a tea or coffee and something to eat. After about 15-20 minutes, I went to the toilet and changed my pad (not that I had bled much at all) and then got dressed. None of these stages are rushed in any way, you are able to do things at your own pace and in your own time when you feel ready. Again I was asked how I felt after the anesthetic, about my bleeding and about any pain. I still was not experiencing any pain at this time.
Finally, I was ready to be discharged with a letter which you can choose to be forwarded to your GP or not. You need to have someone to drive you home after a general anaesthetic and I did. The whole appointment time scale on this day was not long at all and I can't fault the brilliant service they offer. I also came across some lovely women there making the same decision as me. The atmosphere in the clinic was always calm and not as upsetting as you might imagine it to be if you've never been to a clinic before.
I've had a couple of tearful moments since my procedure, but I thought through my decision very carefully alongside my partner who was fully supportive from start to finish. My heart goes out to anyone in the same position as me, be gentle on yourself in such a time and remember time heals and everything will be ok. No one has the right to judge you. You are only doing the best that you can. It also takes time for your hormones to settle back to their normal levels which I think is really important to remember. I hope this helps someone and best wishes to you all