Lucy Smith

It was never going to be easy

2015 South Africa

others grieving comfortable irresponsible angry

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.

with medicines

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 personal reasons for not wanting a child

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.

ඔබේ ගබ්සාවට අනෙක් අය ප්‍රතිචාර දැක්වූයේ කෙසේද?

Very supportive and caring.

legal

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