I didn't expect my early medical abortion to be as bad as online stories made out

When I found out I was pregnant it was a big shock, however, I was expecting it as I had just come back off a two week holiday and had not yet started my period, which was due the first week I was away. At first, I took a home pregnancy test and it came back positive.

[For more stories and experiences involving early medical abortion see this page.]

I didn't even want to tell my boyfriend as I didn't know if he could handle it. So firstly I told my friend and then another friend who came with me to the clinic, once confirmed in the clinic I was pregnant, I went home and told my boyfriend. We talked for hours on end about what to do and decided abortion would be the best option as we are nowhere near prepared or financially stable enough for a baby.

After I went back to the clinic I was referred to the women's hospital, where I got my scan and found out surprisingly that I was 7 weeks pregnant!

I was unable to return for my tablets until a few days later which really put a strain on me as I thought this would never end. But eventually, I got my first tablet. I had to stay about half an hour in the waiting room to ensure the tablet has been digested and I hadn't vomited. My blood pressure was taken then I was allowed home.

I didn't really experience any cramps or bleeding until the following day when the bleeding was really heavy and there was a lot of clotting. This only lasted till about 8 pm.

So the time came to get my next set of pills which I had to insert vaginally myself, as far up as possible, which was fine. I was told to wait 20 minutes before leaving to ensure I felt well.

After I was allowed to go, I was in the taxi on the way home and the pain was unbelievable. I was in so much pain, I was nearly crying and my boyfriend just looked so helpless. The pains continued and prevented me from doing anything. After reading stories online I didn't expect it to be as bad, but oh god it was!!!

Then the next day I was just bleeding and had small cramps, but didn't have any clotting this time around.

Now 4 days later, I have begun to feel even worse because it had just calmed down, I was up all night in so much pain and today I bled a lot, soaked straight through a pad and everything I had on, embarrassing. Then there was a bit of clotting... I'm still unsure whether I have passed the pregnancy tissue though. I do hope these pains go away soon I can't even walk or cough without the pain being unbearable.

My experience has been horrid.