A termination under local anaesthetic
By anonymous on 03/07/2013
I have just returned home from the Marie Stopes clinic in Manchester and wanted to share my experience of having a termination under local anaesthetic.As I have a daughter at home that I wanted to be there for when she came out of school , I chose to just have a local so that I could have the procedure and go home within a hour.
The experience was VERY PAINFUL.
I'm not trying to scare anyone I just want to warn those who are thinking of choosing this option that its not pleasant. I wish I had gone with sedation.I was taken into a small theatre where my legs were put into stirrups and a speculum inserted. This alone was uncomfortable. However when the procedure began and he began aspirating the pain was very bad. He stopped several times to give me a break but to be honest every time he stopped I just asked him to get on with it. I just wanted it over with. The last thirty to forty seconds are the worst. I had a c section with my daughter so I have never experienced the pain of natural labour or contractions but I would imagine it to be as bad as established labour. I was sweating and shaking uncontrollably throughout but had two nurses with me who were wonderful and kept reassuring me it was nearly over and helped me to control my breathing.
Afterwards I was put in a room with other patients who were waiting for GA and were having pre op checks and patients who had already gone through the procedure. I was the only one who had opted for a local.
I was given Ibruprofen and a hot pack to put on my stomach and offered tea and biscuits and water.
After half an hour I asked if I could go and they said as long as I would go to the toilet and pass water I could go home. I was well looked after and the staff were so lovely, supportive and kind. I only wish I had gone with the sedation option and not put myself through unnecessary pain.
I'm now at home with mild stomach cramps and very little bleeding and I only had the procedure 2.5 hours ago.