by Sally Jones 007

Created on: May 28, 2009   Last Updated: May 29, 2009

I personally had a termination when I was 18 years old. (7 years ago). My partner at that time was much older than I am and had played the "I cannot father children" card! I was naive, and a little stupid to believe him.The end result was, I got pregnant.

My parents didn't know I was going out with him, I was 18, he was 30. I was too scared to tell them, he made it clear he did not want the baby, so I decided it would be best all round to have a termination. I went to the family planning clinic, who referred me to the hospital.

I went for a scan to confirm the pregnancy, and was told I was five weeks along. They said the safest way to carry out the termination was by taking two pills which would bring on a miscarriage. After a five minute chat with the doctor, she decided it was best all round to terminate. Given the fact my parents knew nothing of my partner, I was about to start university, and had no financial stability. I took one tablet there and then, and was told to come back 48 hours later, to be admitted onto a ward while they issued the second tablet and made sure I miscarried.

Two days later, I was admitted to the ward and given the tablet. Within minutes, the "miscarriage" began. It was a combination of nausea, diarrhea and the worst period pains I had ever experienced. The bleeding was like the heaviest period I had ever imagined possible. After six hours in the hospital, they were confident I was over the worst and discharged.

When I got home, I went to the bathroom and actually passed my fetus.
I won't describe to you how it looked, but I have never been able to get that image out of my head. The hospital had told me to wear sanitary towels and avoid sex until after the bleeding stopped. Seven days later, I went for an ultrasound and was told the fetus had gone (which I already knew). I expressed my concerns that I was still bleeding heavily, and they said it is normal and can last up to 28 days, but is usually gone after 14.

The bleeding continued, and on day 24 after the "miscarriage" I woke up to find my bed swimming in blood. I was weak, nauseous and shaky.
I rang the NHS helpline and was told to go straight to the hospital. Once at the hospital, they said I had an infection and it was resulting in blood loss. They prescribed 2 lots of antibiotics and sent me home.

It was a week later before the bleeding stopped, and another 4 weeks before my energy levels were back to normal. This was, without a doubt the most frightening experience of my entire life. I honestly thought I was going to bleed to death that morning. I feel the doctors were all brushing my concerns under the carpet. I had an ultrasound after the termination, but no internal. Perhaps this would have shown I was losing actual blood?

I can honestly say, I would not recommend anybody to go down the same route I did. I had to go through all of that without my parents, and hide it all from them. I have been trying to conceive for 6 months now and have not managed anything. Whereas my friend, who has had two terminations using the surgical "vacuum" method got pregnant the first month she came off the pill.

Overall, I am not anti-abortion, as I still feel a baby at that point in my life would not have been the best idea. I would have ended up as another "teenage mum" claiming benefits to survive, etc., etc. Whereas now, I am financially secure, in a loving relationship, and ready to bring a baby into the world.

I would strongly advise people to weigh up the pro's and cons of termination, and to think long and hard about which method is right for you.

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