Yesterday I had a medical abortion at 9 weeks and 4 days.
By anonymous on 18/04/2013
Yesterday I had a medical abortion at 9 weeks and 4 days. I found out I was pregnant after around 2 weeks of back pain and just generally feeling ill. I went to my local NHS drop in centre to see if they could help me as both me and my partner knew that it wasn't the right time to have a baby. They explained that there was nothing they could do, and I needed to see my own GP, I was scared and worried, I didn't know how far gone I was I didn't know anything about having an abortion.
I was frantically searching google typing everything in, in hope someone would help me!
I finally come across the BPAS (British pregnancy advice service) website and called them up straight away. Naturally I was scared and reluctant to give any of my details as I didn't want anyone to find out.The lady on the other end of the phone was so understanding and she knew what I was going through - I'm 21 and never in a million years thought this would happen to me! She took my details and got me an appointment the next day with my local hospital! I felt so relieved!
I went to the 1st appointment and had my scan.
I was 7 weeks and 5 days
All I could think was wow! How can I be this far on and not even know about it? They gave me lots of information and took some bloods and a urine test. They asked me if I was sure it was what I wanted and proceeded to book the abortion, they wanted to fit me in the following week but due to work I couldn't, they understood and booked me in for 2 weeks away!It was over in around 15 minutes, they explained what would happen.
I went back on the Monday morning and they gave me the 1st tablet along with an anti sickness tablet, they explained that I could experience some spotting and this was normal but if I was to vomit in the first 2 hours of taking the tablet I should go back. I was lucky and didn't experience any of these things. I went to work that afternoon and carried on as normal.
The abortion day was on Wednesday! I was told that I would not be able to drive so it's best if someone is with you. I was hoping to go home, but because I was past 9 weeks I had to stay until the fetus had passed. They took me and my partner through to a room which had a bed and 2 chairs and en-suite bathroom/shower.
The nurse come in and explained that I would need to take 2 antibiotics, 1 anti-sickness tablet & 2 painkillers orally, and 4 vaginal tablets which I could insert myself. She explained that the vaginal tablets don't dissolve and could come out at any stage but not to worry.
I took the tablets around 10am and felt fine. Around 12 I started with abdominal pains, just like a slight period pain. The nurse put a bedpan in the toilet and explained that when i needed the toilet everything should be done in the bedpan - so they can check when it's been passed.
I started bleeding around 1 and had severe pain!
Pain like I had never experienced before!I couldn't lie down or sit down - the only comfortable position for me was being sat on the toilet. I had my head on the sink and was in excruciating pain!! I couldn't speak just scream! All of a sudden I became very hot and felt like i was going to die! I called for the nurse who brought me stronger pain killers!
I stripped off all my clothes and was just throwing cold water over myself! I felt terrible then came the sickness! I filled a bed pan with sick ! I couldn't stop. I passed several large blood clots but the nurse assured me I had not yet passed the fetus.
The hot sweats kept coming and going - one minute I was hot the next I was freezing. I decided to go for a walk around the room then lay on the bed - that lasted around 3 minutes! Then I was up and back on the toilet ! Why wouldn't this pain stop? PLEASE!
I sat down and felt a pop below followed by a sudden gush like I had had a wee. And the pain stopped. Don't get me wrong i still had a mild period pain but not half as bad as it had been for the past 2 hours. The time was 3.30pm. I managed to stand up and checked the bed pan! I wanted to be sure as I didn't want to keep mithering the nurse. And there it was - in between all the clots a fetus.
No one told me I would pass a fetus!
It was around 1 inch and had arms and legs and fingers and toes. I was FREAKED! And started to scream. My partner got the nurse who confirmed it was ALMOST over! I still had to pass the placenta. All that blood wasn't the placenta. Luckily the pain was still eased and they let me go home around 4pm.I went home and got in bed - around 6pm I felt pressure down below and passed the placenta. Even though I obviously passed the fetus - I still need to go back for a scan to be sure.
Today I haven't moved. I feel drained & have been bleeding heavily and passed a lot of clots. I have had abdominal pain but mild. Hopefully it was ease tomorrow.
I hope everyone reading this understands that all abortions are personal and that not everyone will have an experience like mine but just be aware it could be a possibility.