Lucy Smith
It was never going to be easy
2015 South Africa
I would not have been able to get through this experience with the help of my friend who had been through the same. I think there should be care clinic for after abortions as I found it hard to deal with.
Im 25 , I was 7 weeks pregnant this was my 2nd abortion. My 1st ine I was 18 and took the surigal option. This time I chose the medical abortion and it was far worse. I took one pill to stop the growth and 2 pills the next day. I was advised by a sister what to expect but nothing prepared me for what actually happened. After taking the pills nothing happend for a couple of hours. Then I experienced a period fereling and then very bad pain - almost unbearable. I had diarrhoea and when I took the pain meds the sister had given me I would vomit even though I had eaten. I had hot sweats and I honestly felt pain like never before. I took different medication for pain and slept. That evening I had visitors and was up and about for a small period. The next day I took it easy. Relaxing etc. The next day was Mothers Day and I felt up and able to go for lunch at a friends place. The day after that I felt fine and was keen to get out of the house. I took a drive and by the evening I was experiencing the most crippling pain I cried like a little girl and took many painkillers to subside the pain. The next morning I thought I could make myself feel better by going to get my hair done. That day I was wearing 2 x Always Night pads which are the highest in absorbancy. I was going through 1 every 45 mins to an hour. I got very low blood sugar and had to move very slowly. I had to be near a bathroom as I would leak / release extremely larqhe amounts of blood / clots. I took the train home and collapsed over as I stood onto the platform I started bleeding out right there and then in front of people. Luckily it was getting darkish and I was wearing black. I panicked and just started crying. My friend fetched me we sped home. I knelt on my haunchers , I couldnt sit on the car seat because I was bleeding so much. I ran straight to the shower once I made it home and literally I couldn't stop bleeding. I caught a sack of whatever it was inside me from between my legs in both my palms cupped together - it was huge , I had to throw it down the toilet. I was so embarrassed that had happened to me in public. I thought the worst was over. I was so helpless and in so much pain I didn't listen to my friends who advised me to rest , your mind leads you to believe that you are fine and able. But physically I was not. Tomorrow it will be a week and I have been and will be spending the next few days in bed with lots of meds , a hot water bottle for the pain. I wasnt aware of abortions in hospitals. If the surgical route was cheaper I would have considered the option to wake up and it all be over
My experience at the family planning clinic was horrendous and impersonal. There was no availability at my chosen branch to terminate around the time I needed to and went to an inferior branch. The doctor made sexual innuendos when I explained how I just knew I was pregnant because I felt it (boobs , appetite etc) I just knew my body. He didn't have a calendar and between the consultation room and reception I knew what types of abortions the other ladies were there for. I wish I went to Town.
How did other people react to your abortion?
Very supportive and caring.