Abortion in QLD

I had an abortion 18 years ago, an appointment was made at a clinic, I was instructed to have someone collect me and stay with me for 24hrs after in case of problems
I was taken into a room and counselled about options, then asked if I chose to go ahead and reassured to leave anytime. I signed paperwork to say it was of my own free will (I think???) I was then given an ultrasound and then moved into a waiting room where I was given a robe and a maxi pad for my pocket as they placed that on after the procedure
I was then eventually taken into a theatre and given general. When I woke in recover it was like any other operation and I was went home with recommendation to follow up.
Details are very blurry

I had an abortion a few months ago. In Cairns, QLD. I'm not sure where you're located, so some circumstances may be different, but this is my experience.. I apologise in advance, it may be quite long. It wasn't difficult to get one at all. There's two options with a termination. A medical termination, where they give you a prescription tablet which forces your body to have a miscarriage. And then there's a surgical termination, where you're put under a general anaesthetic, they insert rods into your cervix to dilate it then use a gentle suction to remove the contents of your uterus.

I was prepared to undergo a medical termination, but this did not go to plan for me. Medical terminations are only available up until 9 weeks gestation. The clinic I went to would not give the pill to anyone further along than 8 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Surgical terminations are performed up until 14 weeks gestation. If further along than that, you can travel to other areas of Australia to have an abortion performed.

Once I spoke to the father and we both made the decision to terminate the pregnancy, I made an appointment with my GP (I had to wait a week for the nearest available appointment) I was almost 7 weeks pregnant the day of my appointment. My GP sent me for blood tests and an ultrasound. These need to be done before any termination is performed. Be prepared for this, if you haven't made the decision lightly, the ultrasound can be heartbreaking. The sonographer told me my baby had a good strong heartbeat.
A week after my first appointment with my GP I had another appointment where he checked the results of my bloods and ultrasound. I found out that I was actually one week further along than I thought I was. Either I had a period after I had conceived, or the fetus was measuring bigger than expected. So at this time I was actually 9 weeks pregnant, instead of 8 weeks. My GP then gave me a referral to a Sexual Health Clinic.

I called the clinic to make an appointment and the next available appointment they could give me was the following week. They told me I would be too far along for a medical abortion so would have to undergo a surgical termination. At this point I was pretty scared. That wasn't my plan, and I had already been through so much, I just wanted it all over and done with. I had made the decision weeks before and now it felt like it was just dragging on forever. But now when I look back, I'm glad I had the surgery and didn't have to go through a miscarriage on my own at home, I think that would have been a really difficult thing to go through.

The day of my appointment with the clinic, I was one day short of 10 weeks pregnant. I spoke with an options nurse first who explained the procedure, checked that I still wanted to go ahead with it, she offered me counselling if I thought I needed it, and we also discussed contraception. She then got me to see a doctor at the same clinic, who I met with that same day. The (female) doctor then had a discussion with me about what to expect from the procedure and we also discussed contraception. I chose to have the implanon inserted during the procedure so she gave me a prescription for it. She then referred me to the doctor who would perform the termination and I was told they would call me with an appointment date and time. I have to say they were absolutely lovely, professional people, with absolutely no judgement at all, easy to talk to and discuss everything with. Make sure you're prepared with any questions you may have.

I got a phone call a couple of days later. I was booked in to meet with the doctor the following week, and the procedure would take place the next day (one week after my appointment with the sexual health clinic). I'd just like to say to anyone considering a termination, if you can, make the decision and get the ball rolling asap. For me it was a very long drawn-out process, which I really wasn't expecting. I was one day short of 11 weeks pregnant when I had my abortion and as a mother of 2, I know how developed an 11 week old foetus is. If I could go back, I would have tried to get the procedure done so much earlier than that.

So I met with the doctor the following week. He was very nice, he told me what to expect before, during and after the procedure. I signed a form and he gave me some paperwork to read through. I then had to go and book in for my surgery at the Day Surgery. Once there I had to fill in a heap of forms that covered all my details, medical history, psychological history, allergies, etc etc. I also had to provide the name and phone number of the person that would be picking me up after my surgery. You will not be allowed to leave alone. It is also recommended that you have someone stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure.

My surgery was booked for the next afternoon and I had to fast beforehand. No food for 6 hours before and no water for 3 hours before surgery, so I was still able to have breakfast that morning. Once I was there I was prepped for surgery. Once I'd changed into a disposable robe, booties etc and jewellery was removed, a nurse put me in a robe and showed me to a waiting room that already had a handful of other ladies in it waiting. I ended up being called in a lot later than the time I was booked in for. So it was a very long day without food or water, and being pregnant made it a whole lot harder. While waiting I could hear another lady who had woken up from surgery, crying very loudly. Once I was called in I met the anaesthetist who double checked I had no allergies, worries or any bad past experiences with anaesthetic. They do put an anti nausea medicine in with the anaesthetic. I walked into the room where a few nurses and the doctor was waiting. They took my robe and I got onto the bed and the anaesthetic was administered. I woke up 15 - 20 minutes later, feeling fine, a little sleepy, not in any pain. A nurse gave me a drink of water then got me to sit up, I was bought my clothes and my bag and told I could get dressed when I was ready. Once I was dressed I was taken through to recovery where I got to have a sandwich, some biscuits and a hot chocolate, and they bought in my support person. I was prescribed 2 lots of antibiotics and some heavy painkillers then got to go home.

It's advised that you take it easy for a day or two but there are benefits in getting back into your normal routine as soon as possible. No swimming, sex or strenuous exercise for 2 weeks afterwards. And you need to watch for signs of infection. I recovered really well. The pain wasn't too bad and I didn't bleed much. The first night after surgery I did have to take my prescription painkillers as the cramps were quite bad. I only bled a little bit for a few days then it slowed to almost nothing. Five days after surgery I had a heavier bleed and some cramping and passed some small blood clots (sorry TMI) then it slowed down to very light bleeding for a few days and then stopped.

Sorry this is so long! If there's anything else you'd like to know, just ask! I've heard stories of people having to dodge protesters outside the clinics they've gone to but I never saw any of that where I went. Everyone I met with was so professional and non-judgemental. The few friends and family that I have told have been nothing but supportive and that really helps a lot so I hope you have someone there to support you. Anyone that judges you has no idea and obviously hasn't been in this situation. I hope it all goes well for you. Take care of yourself x
www.childrenbychoice.org.au is a great website to look at too x

Do a Google search for your closest major city (ie. Brisbane has plenty of clinics). If you are early in your pregnancy It is very straight forward you can just call & make yourself an appointment they confirm you are pregnant (urine test) you have a small counselling session to talk about the reason for the procedure & that u are sure of ur choice. You then talk to the dr. They do an ultrasound & administer a medication - tablet to stop the growth of the foetus & 48hours later you take another tablet to 'pass' the foetus - ie bad period pain/bleeding & can last for up to 10 days
Approx a week later you have a follow up appointment to ensure everything has passed. While it is not an enjoyable experience it is not as bad as GoogleDr would tell you. Good Luck Honey

I went to my doctor and confirmed pregnancy, told him in no uncertain terms that I didn't want it and he gave me a pamphlet for a clinic. I rang and booked in. Went in, they asked me some mental health questions and then I waited a bit, chatted to a few other ladies doing it. They put me under general and then when I woke up I was the usual amount of disoriented I am with GA and that was that. Had to wait a bit for the GA to wear off and check I was fine but it was fairly simple because I was only about 2-3 weeks pregnant. Cost me $300 though :/ I've heard they usually have protestors outside the clinic but I didn't see any when I went. Oh, and this was about 7 years ago now

I had one a few weeks ago in Townsville. I was so scared to get it done but the staff at Marie Stopes were sooooo wonderful and they comforted me and held my hand through it. It wasn't a nice experience to have to go through but they made it as nice as possible.