Going through a medical termination alone... Hand hold please

[scaredandlonely7]

Hi there,

I'm around 8 hours after taking misoprostol. I am home alone and struggling to distract myself from the pain. I'm also scared that it hasn't yet worked as I don't feel I have passed the pregnancy and my cramps are still ongoing.

The only family I have nearby are looking after my child (which is obviously important) as I want them to sleep well and not witness me throwing up/hiding in the loo. However, I'm still in pain and it doesn't seem to be dying down?

Spending the night on my own and the possibility of an incomplete abortion is starting to really scare me :( Any advice or similar experiences?

Thanks so much

No advice I’m afraid but sending you strength and good wishes. You can do this. Chances are it will succeed shortly. Can you take painkillers or have a warm bath to help?

Thank you so much for replying @AGreatUsername . I thought it would be over by now :(. I've been throwing up the painkillers so scared to waste any more, but a bath is a great idea. I really appreciate it!

After your bath, if you’re feeling a bit more relaxed, you could try pacing, perhaps even up and down the stairs, perhaps with a hot water bottle to hand? I’ve always found cramps of any kind more bearable on the move than sitting or laying. Hope your night improves. You can get through it xx

I had a morning after pill many years ago- ( Maybe a different thing?)
Felt terribly sick.
Handhold for you.

No advice but here to (virtually) hold your hand. You probably don't feel like being active but I think @PatienceHeatherstone advice is really good - both for managing the pain and also to get things working. Xxx

Thank you both so much for replying. I'll definitely try the pacing thing, lying down is tempting but I'm worried it's slowing everything down.

I just want to skip to tomorrow so I can give my little one a hug

Be brave. Facing the night by yourself can be really hard. Can you put on your most indulgent, ridiculous, lighthearted TV choice to watch while you pace? Or some music to listen to? The sort of thing that would seem like a real treat to find the time to watch/listen to.

I'm trying to listen to an audiobook at the moment but keep having to rush to the loo. I'm so desperate to just sleep! Thank you @PatienceHeatherstone

Sending a handhold

Sitting on the toilet will help, try to do that as much as possible. Sounds daft but it opens everything up and makes it pass quicker. Hot water bottle and bath/standing in shower. Take care of yourself, its not pleasant xxx

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully the bath will do a lot for you.

The bath was really helpful thank you! I have also managed to keep some painkillers down. I cannot say how much I appreciate the support. It feels so much better to speak to people after being alone all day.

I’m still not certain it’s ‘worked’ though :( does anyone know how I can tell?

I have no advice I'm afraid but just want to offer a handhold. Hope you're doing okay x

@scaredandlonely7
Did your GP not advise you as to what to expect ?
If on any doubt , phone the surgery in the morning.

It will soon be over, and this time next week it will be just a memory.
Podcasts and old films on you tube are wuite good when one is feeling poorly.
It’s probably very normal to feel anxious and afraid-
And not knowing what to expect will make that feeling worse.
A quick Google shows that it’s only prescribed for very early weeks, so they wouldn’t have prescribed it if they thought it wouldn’t be safe.
As it gets darker outside, it’s also normal to feel worse-
so put on a good film, put the lights on and you aren’t alone-
there will be other women going through exactly the same thing tonight.
Best Wishes

@oakleaffy Thank you for your kind words. I do think the darkness has made me feel more alone but the thought of other women sharing the experience is comforting.

It wasn't prescribed by a GP but by a telemedicine appointment through MSI. I won't have any follow up scans or anything to check it has worked, which is where my worry stems from. But I appreciate the advice!

You will be OK. Did they give you codeine to take? It took me a few days to pass through pregnancy completely but it happens gradually and the pain does die down. Virtually holding your hand and sending love xxx

Yes @Devo1818 I've taken some of the codeine and managed to keep it down. It's so useful to hear that it might take a bit longer. Everything I've read says that the pregnancy itself passed in a few hours and then there was light bleeding for the next couple of weeks. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for your support xx

No advice for you OP but sending you a handhold 💐

Sending a handhold x

I’m sure it will be ok for you.
Tomorrow you will have your DC with you.

A close relation said she had a physical termination- Absolutely no way could she have managed a fourth child-
I do remember her going through a phase of really crying - That was a long time ago and she never regretted the decision.
In those days, a couple of pills to take at home weren’t possible.
She had to push through on her own, no one knew at the time except her husband- and he was unsympathetic about it.

Being a woman can be tough at times.

Sorry are you going through this.

Can you check the packet? If it doesn't seem to be working properly have a certain amount of hours, I think there are a couple more tablets to take to get the procedure going.

Sending love xx

I have been through this myself, rocking backwards and forwards helped with the pain. I was also unsure when I had fully completed the process but there was a point around 10 hours after taking the second tablet it became obvious. I bled very heavily for 2/3 days and then lightly for around 19 days xx

@oakleaffy thank you!

Yes, I’ve really appreciated being able to be at home and not in a medical setting. It would’ve reminded me too much of my very happy first pregnancy with my DC. I didn’t want to ruin those memories. I just didn’t realise how lonely it would be.

@peasoup15 I did take the additional tablets and I have had quite a bit of bleeding just nowhere near what I expected and no clots.

@EC1977 thank you so much for sharing! From everything I’ve read people have said it seems obvious when it’s worked. I haven’t experienced that yet but I’m still cramping, so just wanting it to be over really :( I will definitely try the rocking. I’ve definitely found myself bent over a lot xx

Just sending a hand hold too. How are you feeling now? X