5 months after my abortion the bleeding & pain stopped after a "scrape of the womb"

When I first found out I was pregnant I felt very disappointed with myself and shocked, at 20 years old I didn't feel like I was ready to have someone to depend on me having no stability in my own life at the current time.

I spoke to my parents about my situation, having already considered abortion, they told me that it was what I should do, but they wanted no part of it and I had to take responsibility for my own actions and do it alone.

I went to the doctor's who confirmed I was 6 weeks pregnant and was very supportive about my decision. He referred me to the hospital to have an abortion on the NHS.

I went to the hospital a week later and they told me they only offered a medical abortion which was my preferred choice, I hadn't done much research about the methods, however I didn't want to be 'put under'.

They took some blood tests to check my blood type, and took some swabs to check for infection, they gave me the first tablet and I was sent home. I experienced nothing after having the first tablet and went about the next day as usual.

2 days after taking the first tablet I went back to the hospital for the 2nd tablet, when I had taken this they told me to have a 10 minute walk around the building.

When I came back the intense cramping began, I started vomiting and began to bleed slightly, the nurse told me to sit on the toilet as this is what most people found easiest so I did that and within 30 minutes of taking the tablet I felt the 'pregnancy' slide out and the nurse confirmed it.

I was in the hospital for 3 hours then sent home to rest.

A week later I was still bleeding heavily with severe pain in my lower abdomen. I went to the doctor's and they sent me straight to the hospital where I was put on a drip and kept overnight when they then confirmed I had a cervical infection and was sent home with antibiotics.

A month later I was still having intense pain in my lower abdomen and still bleeding heavily

I went back to the doctor's who said that the infection may have come back so I was given another course of antibiotics.

3 months after initially having the medical abortion I was still bleeding heavily so I went back to my doctor who tried to take some blood but couldn't find my vein, I came back a week later and saw the nurse who took my blood, the week after I came back to see the doctor about the results, he said they were normal and gave me some tablets to stop the bleeding.

A week after that!! I went back to the doctor who did an internal examination and took more swabs.

2 weeks later I had to have a 'scrape of the womb' and now the bleeding has stopped and I have no pains.

In all my medical abortion has lasted just under 5 months, it has been a horrible time also having to hold down a full time and a part time job, whilst having to go through this alone.

From my own experience I would never recommend a medical abortion, I don't regret my decision however sometimes I do find myself thinking about what I saw in the cardboard bowl in the hospital.

I'm just glad to have it over and move on with my life.