A "positive" account of a 7 weeks surgical vacuum aspiration abortion under local anaesthetic

I found out I was pregnant 6 days ago. I'd been feeling sick and had painful breasts for over a week. Having ovarian cysts and absent periods for over a year it was a massive shock when three pregnancy tests came back positive.

After a few days and nights of thinking about what we wanted to do myself and my fiancé decided that an abortion was our only abortion - we just weren't in a financial position to raise a baby.

At my initial appointment, I found out I was 7 weeks pregnant and opted for a vacuum aspiration abortion with a local anaesthetic. I couldn't bear the thought of waiting for the procedure and asked for anything I could have as soon as possible, the nurse said I could back at 9 AM the next day.

After a night of tossing and turning I made my way alone to the clinic the next morning. After reading all the stories online I was very nervous about what was ahead of me.

In total I was at the clinic for 2½ hours, the procedure was slightly painful but not unbearable. The three injections into the cervix gave a short, sharp pain and the suction felt like bad cramping. It was all over in about 8 minutes and the three ladies in surgery with me were so lovely and reassuring, as was every member of staff I met that day. I didn't feel at any point that I was being judged and even though I went to the clinic on my own I didn't at any point feel alone.

After the procedure, I sat in the recovery room and had a coffee and some biscuits. I then changed back into my own clothes. I only had a bit of spotting at that point and actually, the bleeding afterwards was like a light period. After I'd finished my drink and had seen the nurse I was discharged and drove myself home.

I had a bit of cramping for the rest of the day and light bleeding but nothing more.

I wanted to share my story because I wanted there to be a positive (if you can call it that) account of a surgical abortion with a local anaesthetic.