“My partner and I already have two children and with the youngest starting school this year, we knew that we were past the baby stage in our lives.”
A client’s experience of having medical abortion at home (telemedicine) and how it helped them to take control of their reproductive health.
I found out I was pregnant at 5 weeks gestation. My partner and I already have two children and with the youngest starting school this year, we knew that we were past the baby stage in our lives and our family is complete.
I searched online for at home abortions because I knew it was the way I wanted to go. I found MSI and filled out an online form on a Sunday afternoon and by lunch time Monday I had received my first consultation details for Wednesday morning.
“My consultation was arranged for a time that suited me so it wouldn’t interfere with work or children.”
I had the phone consultation which consisted mainly of health questions and throughout the whole conversation I felt completely at ease and comfortable. I felt absolutely no judgement at all. At the end of this conversation my next consultation was arranged for the next day at a time that suited me – for me this was in the evening so it wouldn’t interfere with work or children.
This next appointment was with a nurse and went into detail about how to administer the medication at home. Once again, I felt at ease during the entire conversation.
“I was relieved at how simple and quick the process has been – less than a week after finding out I was pregnant I was able to take the first tablet.”
My medication arrived through the post on Friday in a plain box and contained the medication, pain relief and an information booklet. I was relieved at how simple and quick the process has been – less than a week after finding out I was pregnant I was able to take the first tablet in the process.
I felt no different after taking this tablet and was able to carry on a normal. 24 hours after taking this tablet I took the next set of medication orally between my gums and cheek.
Soon after, I started to experience cramping which was similar to the start of my period. This was manageable but uncomfortable.* 3 hours later I took the last 2 tablets in the same way. The cramping soon intensified and the bleeding started. Although the cramping got worse it was still manageable. The bleeding started slow but soon got heavier – similar to a heavy period. Again, this was manageable.
“The symptoms soon eased, and I was able to get back to everyday life.”
Although the cramps and bleeding were manageable, I did feel extremely tired and physically weak during this time so I spent the day in bed sleeping. The symptoms soon eased, and I was able to get back to everyday life.
I am grateful to MSI for giving me access to a simple and quick service that enabled me to take control of my reproductive health with the least amount of stress possible.
*Every person is different and will experience different levels of pain and bleeding during a medical abortion, but most people will have significant cramping pain and will find pain relief helpful. If pain is severe, this is usually short lived and is relieved when the pregnancy passes. Find out more about medical abortion and pain relief here.
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Sharing stories is at the heart of ending the stigma that too many people still feel when it comes to abortion.
