Today I had my first abortion, and reading other people’s experiences really helped me so I’d like to relay what happened during mine in the hopes that it might ease other peoples minds or offer some insight to the whole process.
I found out that I was pregnant mid May, and was instantly disheartened. I have 3 already, 2 of which are under 2, my youngest was only 7 months at the time! We had been using condoms and avoided having unprotected sex during ovulation week so we were actively trying to avoid this.
I sat with my decision for a while because I was stuck between: well we want more in the future and we have the amenities to have more and.. but we have 2 under 2 so having another would mean 3 under 3!!! , I’ve been pregnant for the last 3 years in a row and my body needs a break!
I googled abortion providers near me and MSI choices came up, so I called them to discuss my options that same day I did my test and after I had that initial phone call I was still unsure and feeling 50/50 in my decision so the lady said if I want to go ahead with the termination, to give them a call back and they’ll get me booked in for my second drs consultation (UK law requires 2 drs to sign off on terminations.)
Fast forward a few weeks later, I decided that no now is not a good time to have another baby so I called MSI again, had my second drs consultation and got booked in to have a medical abortion.
When I arrived at the clinic, I spoke with a nurse and there was a sonographer in the room who did a scan. She had the monitor facing away from me and the sound off. She also didn’t talk to me during the process or tell me what she was seeing. She only told the nurse my gestation (8&6) and that was it. The nurse gave me the bag of tablets and all the information that I needed and I took the first oral tablet in the car before leaving the car park at 1.30pm. I experienced no bleeding or spotting but had some mild cramping.
At 4pm the next day I inserted the 4 vaginal tablets and laid down for half an hour. I didn’t feel anything until about an hour-an hour and a half later, where I began getting frequent cramps. At first they were manageable but I took some paracetamol and codeine tablets, as the nurse advised. Half an hour later they were agonising, they felt like labour pains. I began bleeding at this time too. After 2.5 hours/3 hours after having the pessaries, the bleeding was really heavy and the pain was constant. I also threw up a lot and had the shakes (side effects of the medicine!) after this I laid down and the pain started to settle somewhat, and my shakes went.
At around 8pm the pain was still there but no way near as bad as it was, I went to the toilet and had flooded through my maternity pad all over my clothes. When I sat on the toilet to have a wee, a large fleshy lemon sized thing came out. I presume this was the pregnancy and the placenta. I used a glove to take it out of the toilet to have a closer look and it was all intact. It was very squishy but didn’t resemble a fetus if that makes sense? I’d read some posts saying they saw an obvious fetus but I didn’t. i just flushed it back down the toilet.
Now it’s nearly 11pm, the bleeding is still quite heavy but the pain only comes and goes and lasts for a few seconds at a time. I don’t know how to feel emotionally, I felt a bit upset earlier but also I know this was the right decision for me and I don’t have any regrets at all. I suppose I feel guilty for being relieved that I can get on with my life a bit more now?
Very long story I apologise but I just wanted to give my full experience, which will hopefully help any other ladies in the same position. Xx