I'm sorry to hear about this. It sucks.

I have had a surgical abortion. It was over very quickly, minor discomfort, with moderate cramping for about 24 hours afterwards. I had "laughing gas" so I was kind of out of it. I actually fainted during the procedure; not because of the procedure but b/c I have low blood pressure and medical things tend to make me pass out.

I did the same thing you did; compared the two methods and determined that, for me, the medical abortion did not have enough "safeguards" for me to be comfortable. I wanted to be at a clinic during the acutal abortion so that I was taken care of. Personally, I do not like to take medicines of any kind so this was also a factor for me.

You don't need to justify your reasons for having an abortion. We understand without them.

Best of luck to you!

Thank you for saying that I don't have to justify my reasons. I've been on a few different forums today and felt backed into the corner to justify myself when I just wanted some information.

I'm leaning toward the surgical as well just to get it over and done with and not worry about it not being completed. I would like to have the follow up at my regular doctor's office if possible so that I won't have to make the long trip twice. The clinic staff told me that they would do their best to arrange it.

Thank you for replying.

Personally I would opt for surgical. I have had a surgical ab but I have also been given misoprostol (vaginally) for an embryo that died in my uterus (miscarriage but refused a d&c - didn't want surgery) and it was a terrible experience, totally awake with full feelings of the pain etc... - I imagine that's what having the full medical abortion would be like.
With surgical it's over quickly and I also chose to have general anaesthetic.

Best of luck with your decision

Hi.

Medical abortion can only be used within the first eight weeks of a pregnancy, and if you opt for this method over this time the consequences can be highly dangerous and life-threatening. Medical (or chemical) abortions are usually utilised by the women who prefer to terminate their pregnancies in the comfort of their own home surrounded by their partners and other family members, although the pain can often be extremely painful, like a very heavy period, I believe; surgical abortions are performed either in a hospital (UK) or a clinic and the most common method used (suction-aspiration abortion) lasts just ten minutes. The cervix is dilated and a suction mechanism is attached to a long tube which removes the foetus and other embryonic tissue. This method is usually preferred for its quick, easy, and safe procedures.

The choice is up to you, at the end of the day. Where would you prefer to be?

Good luck anyway and I wish you the best.

Kypros.

I have not been in the position that you are in. Nor, have I ever had an abortion. Therefore, I will be unable to assist you in making any decisions. However, I just wanted to make sure that you have done extensive research about the location that you have chosen. Many clinics are not abortion clinics but are "crisis centers". There is a very significant difference between the two. A crisis center will bring you in with the impression that the do abortions at their location. This is not true. They will corner you into a room, and show you graphic pictures and recite horrible testimonies. They are there to discourage you against having an abortion, and they can be very aggressive. All that this will do is make a situation that is already undesirable, into something traumatic. Just thought I would throw in my 2cents. Good luck with your decisions.

I had the pregnancy confirmed yesterday. I was (and am) more than a bit depressed about it. I keep feeling like an fool because even though I know better, it just seems as though there was more that I could have done to prevent it (we were using condoms, correctly, and spermicide - I had to go off the pill for other unrelated health problems).

I'm going to keep my appointment for next week. The clinic is very reputable and is not a "fake" clinic (but thank you for your concern that I not see those terrible people). A friend of mine tried to get me to go to the crisis pregnancy center here in town but I said no because I am well aware of their practices and tactics. She had never visited but had heard good things from her cousin.

From reading your experiences and everything, I am going to follow through with the surgical abortion. I really do want this to be over with and I don't want to be in any undue pain as several people who described their medical abortions were.

My husband and I are okay right now. Just taking things in stride, really. He's only asked me once if I was sure of my decision and I emphasized that I am very certain. Even if he had a sudden change of mind, I would still seek the abortion. I'm not ready in any sense of the word. We've decided not to even think about having children for another five years and I think that's a sensible plan. Hopefully by then my business will be healthier, we'll have some debt paid down, will have some savings, and will be more secure.

Again, thank you all for responding and for not being judgemental or self-righteous.

Hi again, hill_al.

Well done for keeping a mature, sensible, and determined approach to this crisis. I'm pretty sure you'll feel relieved after the abortion, since it appears it's the pregnancy that is depressing you rather than the termination of it. Unfortunately, birth control failure is just one of those things we cannot control beforehand, but you have been a responsible individual for trying.

After describing your problems with The Pill, it may be worth having an IUD fitted at the same time as your termination. You will find more information on the IUD on the Internet and particularly www.wikipedia.com . If you want to give it a try I would suggest you consult your doctor as soon as possible to discuss having it implanted immediately after your operation.

Kypros.