Absolutely nothing happened after my medical abortion so I then had to have a surgical abortion

I recently had a surgical abortion (click for more surgical abortion stories) following a failed medical abortion. I discovered I was 7 weeks pregnant, and after a week went in for my medical abortion (click for other medical abortion stories).

I was convinced medical was the right option as I could be in the comfort of my own home and the word 'surgery' terrified me. I chose to take the two separate sets of tablets on the same day even though it makes them slightly less effective, but I thought it would be okay.

I got home after taking them and felt nauseous - I had been suffering from constant morning sickness but this was even worse. I braced myself and waited for the pain, but nothing. I waited another day then called BPAS, who said if nothing happened by that evening I would have to go in the next day for a surgical.

I was desperate for the medical to work because I didn't want the surgical, but absolutely nothing happened so about 48 hours later I went in for my surgical abortion.

Having read things online I thought I wanted to be conscious as I was scared of being put to sleep. I was worried about waking up and vomiting (after such a long time suffering from morning sickness I was desperate not to feel sick anymore).

The thought of being put to sleep and therefore out of my control scared me more than the surgery itself. However having discussed it with my very helpful nurse, I decided I was just going to have to do it because the pain could be quite intense and that scared me too.

After a long wait, I was called in. I got changed into a gown, waited some more, then was told to lie down on a bed. I was terrified. The anaesthetist put something into my arm - she struggled to find my vein so this was a bit uncomfortable. I waited some more for the surgeon.

My heart was going crazy! Then they took me through to the theatre. At this point I was so grateful I had chosen general anaesthetic - I was so scared and the theatre looked so intense (I was expecting just a small room with little equipment and a doctor but it looked like a full on operation theatre if that makes sense?).

They put a mask on me and told me to take deep breaths. I took very deep breaths to try and keep calm, then I don't remember anything else!

I woke up with a quite bad cramping so the nurse gave me codeine. I can only imagine how painful it would have been if I was awake if it was this painful afterwards. I stood up and as I walked out felt a large blood clot come out. I went to the toilet and there was quite a lot of blood.

To me, this cramping and blood clots were a tiny indication of what the medical abortion would have been like. I am just grateful it didn't work and I was able to get the surgical instead - it was a blessing in disguise.

Anyway, the reason I have chosen to write this is for any women choosing between a medical or surgical abortion. Please don't let the term 'surgical' put you off - I have read a lot on the Internet to suggest that a medical abortion can be very stressful and I found the surgical completely bearable. It is over so quickly and even though it's not in the comfort of your own home, it is nothing to be scared of.

I suggest doing research into a surgical instead of just assuming the medical is the best option like I did. And for anyone unsure whether to be awake or asleep, my experience of general anaesthetic was a positive experience and I felt completely fine afterwards (not groggy), and VERY grateful that I don't remember anything.