Submitted by: Elicia

Last week I found out that I was roughly 7-12 weeks pregnant. It took me by surprise as my partner and I have always been very careful.

When I found out, I sat in a park and cried for a good 20 minutes before I gathered the strength to call my mum. She was so supportive as she’d been through the same thing before, which she has openly discussed with my sisters and me.

It took me a day to tell my partner. I’m not sure why I held off telling him straight away because he was just as shocked as I was, but so supportive straight away. We already knew what our decision was as we had previously discussed what we would do if this were to happen. We just are not ready to be parents mentally, emotionally, or financially.

My appointment was today. I was up all last night thinking about it. I was scared. Not about the life I had growing inside of me, but the procedure itself and the pain. I had no idea what I was in for.

My partner and I arrived first thing this morning and filled out forms and read about the procedure and what to expect. I was then taken to an office with the lovely doctor who performed the procedure and together we estimated what time roughly I fell pregnant (late September to early Octoberor). She weighed me and then did a quick ultrasound where I discovered I was about 12-13 weeks pregnant.

I was given two tablets to dissolve in my mouth, then I and went and emptied my bladder. I sat with my partner in the waiting room for 10 minutes until my name was called, and a nurse escorted me to a small room where I took my pants off, put a gown on and lined my underwear with a pad and sat for 5 minutes working on my breathing as I was so incredibly nervous.

The nurse came back and escorted me to the theater room and introduced me to everyone and mentioned their roles. Everyone was so nice and calm it helped me relax a little. My blood pressure was checked and my heart was racing but I felt safe. I was given twilight sedation through an IV and I was knocked out in 2 minutes. Next thing I know I woke up in recovery feeling rested and relieved. It was all over and I wasn’t in pain. 3 hours later still no pain, a bit of bleeding but that’s expected. Now I need to just relax for the rest of the day.

I can 100% say I am happy with the decision my partner and I have made. But even though I now know how simple and straightforward termination is (or can be), I would like to avoid having one again. Next time I fall pregnant my partner and I will be ready for it.