I had an abortion in my 9th week of pregnancy, and I’m not sorry. I feel it is very important for me to write my story and share with women who may come across your site seeking information about what to expect. It was easier than I thought, and I breathe a sigh of relief as I write this.
I used protection with my boyfriend. I was on the pill, but didn’t follow the instructions for taking it as well as I should have. The night I became pregnant, my boyfriend asked “You aren’t going to get pregnant are you?” before we began, and I said “No”. When I got home, I foolishly douched thinking that would wash anything out and I would be safe. Two days later, I “spotted”, and thought “Yes! I’m going to get my period! Not pregnant! Whew!”
Wrong. That bit of spotting was all I was to see. I kept waiting for the period which didn’t come. I never had morning sickness in the sense of throwing up, but I would find myself gagging on the way to work and having cravings. I’m very thin so I didn’t show, and kept waiting for the period. Finally I got so nervous, I bought a home test the day before I was scheduled to go to Planned Parenthood and take an official test. I just wanted to know. Almost immediately the stick indicated I was positive. I was fortunate that I had some money available, and had a friend who volunteered to drive me. I also would be able to take a week off because my boss would be out of the office. The only catch was I would have to wait a week and a half until my appointment.
If you have to wait while you save up money, get through the morning sickness as best you can. I carried a bottle of water and a baggie with ice cubes and paper towels with me on the way to work. Cooling yourself seems to help with nausea and light headedness. I also got some ginger flavored candy (Altoids makes some you can get at Trader Joes. If you can’t get that, look in the Chinese food section of your super market and get some crystallized ginger. It is sweet, you can suck it, and ginger helps fight nausea.)
So here’s what it was like. I went to Planned Parenthood and filled out a ton of forms about my medical history. I was going to have a vacuum aspiration, not be given the pills. I felt this would be easiest on my body, and unlike the pills, it would be over in 10-20 minutes, not take days. I just wanted it done and over with.
They were very discreet with me, and if they had questions, would call me in the back instead of making me answer at the window in front of other people. They also asked whether I wanted to be put out (sleep) instead of local anesthetic where I would be awake. I immediately said “Sleep!” I didn’t want to be awake for it if I didn’t have to be.
You are taken in the back, and given a brief physical (blood pressure, listen to your lungs and heartbeat), then told to change into a gown and given a light blanket to wrap around me. You are given an IV drip to keep you hydrated during the procedure. It is also through this that you will be given your anesthesia. I was blessed again in two ways. My veins are very small, so they numbed my arm with a local before putting the drip in, and also waited until I was in the operating room before they did it. They had also explained what the procedure would entail and answered all of my questions in a friendly calm way. Everyone was very respectful.
The minute the medication hit, I was out like a light. When I woke up, I was resting in a reclining chair with a heating pad on my stomach. I have no memory of the actual procedure, and it was the best sleep I’ve ever had. You’re woozy afterwards though so be careful. I was given birth control and antibiotics before I left, and didn’t bleed that much. I used about two pads a day for three days, and then just spotted for about two weeks afterwards. I am on the third week and the spotting has pretty much stopped.
As a general rule, I really don’t like kids, and wasn’t ready for one. I really struggle to make ends meet financially, and am emotionally and mentally not ready to have a child. I grieved a little bit, but over all I am tremendously relieved. My boyfriend does not know I had an abortion, and I won’t be telling him. Fortunately he travels a lot on business, so it just seemed like coincidence that we didn’t see each other for two months.
Prior to having your abortion, go to the Planned Parenthood website and educate yourself on what procedure you will be having. Take the antibiotics they give you afterwards as instructed. Make certain that you have menstrual pads, plenty of fluids and food at home so you don’t have to go out. Make certain you rest the first couple of days afterwards or at least take it easy. My “after cramping” didn’t hurt very much, it just like regular cramps. You can take Advil for them. Bring some magazines and a book to the doctor’s office, because you will be there a while! I was there for about 3 hours start to finish. It is also a nice touch to leave the magazines you bring for the other women who follow after you in both the outer waiting area and the inner waiting area. Lastly, keep your follow up doctor’s visit two weeks later.
