Surgical abortion at 6 weeks 19 years old.
Had a surgical abortion yesterday at 6 weeks and thought I would share bc I had a good experience and was really scared reading some of these stories beforehand. I'm 19 years old and in my last year of university in New Zealand and had always known I would choose an abortion if I became pregnant.
Took a test after feeling strange all morning on the 23rd of April, and phoned the abortion clinic at the hospital the next morning who got me in for a consultation on the 5th of May. Had to get a blood test before my consultation, and then during the consultation had an ultrasound and spoke with a nurse about my options. Ended up opting for the surgical because I'm at uni and working part time so don't really have 2 or 3 days free to undergo and recover from the pill option.
Appointment for the surgical was at midday yesterday (the 12th of May). Had my boyfriend with me the whole time as a support person. First went over consent forms and the procedure with a doctor, then went to a private room with a bed and chairs where a nurse came in to give me an anti anxiety pill, an antibiotic, and the misoprostol. Fortunately the misoprostol wasn't bad at all for me, just (very minor) cramping and the sensation of needing to poo. I get really awful periods normally so was expecting it to be awful, but was completely fine! Had to wait a bit for that to start working so ended up doing crosswords to pass the time lol.
Then a nurse came to put in my IV and take me to the operating room. My boyfriend wasn't allowed in but the nurses were so lovely and talked to me the whole time which was a great distraction and made it all feel so easy. IV sedation was super effective. I only felt a few seconds of cramping which hurt a bit, but the doctor paused when I said I was in pain and the nurse gave me some laughing gas to breathe on which helped a lot. Was back in my little room after like 10 mins. Apparently the amount of pregnancy tissue removed was quite small so had my HCG levels measured, and then am going in for a blood test next week just to check the levels are going down as they should be!
Ended up eating quite a bit after getting back as was super hungry because of having to fast all day. The nurses had left a sandwich and some yogurt and some cheese and crackers. Felt lots better after eating but sat around for another hour or so chatting to my boyfriend and drinking tea. Got up to change my pad and felt a little dizzy, but tried again like 15 mins later and was totally fine. Was given a prescription for cerazette progesterone only pill which I hope will work for me as I felt super depressed when I tried the combined pill a year ago. Stopped at the beach on the way home to get some fresh air, then cuddled on the couch and watched a movie in the evening.
Was a little weepy last night coming off the sedatives, but woke up this morning feeling the happiest I have felt in the past month. the worst part of the whole ordeal was by far the weeks between my positive test and the procedure. I feel so lucky that I was able to have the procedure safely and legally, and especially grateful that it was free. My boyfriend has been an absolute angel through this all, it's really such a privilege to have someone to rely on. I don't regret my choice at all and I can't wait to have kids one day when I have a more established life and career and finances.