unwanted pregnancy

I'm still kind of in shock at this whole situation... never in a million years thought I would be pregnant and needing an abortion. I'm doing fine emotionally, no doubt this is what I want. But I'm a little worried about the procedure and physical recovery afterwards. I'm having a surgical abortion under general anesthesia on March 8, which is just shy of 7 weeks since the first day of my last period. I am really scared of needles so I'm scared about getting the IV for the anesthesia. I guess the procedure won't take very long, but they're going to have me rest at the clinic for 2 hours afterwards before they release me. I'm having it on a Friday so I should be fine for work on Monday right? I just really want my body to be back to normal again but I guess it will take awhile for the hormones and things to go back to normal? I feel so stupid because I had a perfectly healthy body before and now it's going to be all messed up for awhile.

In case it makes a difference, I live in Japan and I'm having the abortion done in Japan.

I just wanted to say you are on my thoughts and I wish you all the best. Do you have anyone who can come along with you for support? I would let the doctors and nurses know that you are afraid of needles. Perhaps they can give you a numbing cream before they insert the needle. Also I dont know if you speak the language or whether you are having the procedure done at a Jap or an International/American Clinic but I would make sure there wont be any communication issues. Hugs

Thank you It's a weekday so my friends will be at work...I could have had it a week later on a Saturday and had a friend come with me, but I wanted it done sooner. I should be ok on my own. I think they're aware I'm squeamish with needles because I was a big baby when they did a blood test yesterday(>_<)

Japan has been my home for the last 7 years so I have no problem going to a Japanese clinic. They speak some English and have documents in English, but I'm also pretty good in Japanese and that's the language we've been communicating in mostly.

Don't feel stupid. Everyone makes mistakes. I personally recommend using a condom and a second birth control method (such as the Pill) for extra protection, but even that's not a guarantee.

Wishing you the best through the procedure. Sorry you have to deal with the needle (I am phobic about the needle when I go for dental procedures), but we'll be here for you to talk to and let us know how everything goes.

I will not comment on abortions as that is a touchy subject. I think that Maven offers some good advice. If you are prone to getting pregnant you probably should consider a backup method of birth control. Pills + condoms are a good idea

MAKE SURE that you start taking the Pill right on the day of the abortion, and everything will be ok. It is very important because it speeds up the recovery.

Look away when they insert the IV. And then the anesthetic will take care of things for you.

Doubling up contraception is a great idea. Condom failure and pill failure are independent events, so the probability of their co-occurring is the probability of condom failure, which is already very small, multiplied by the probability of the pill failure, which is even smaller. The product is a tiny, tiny number. Not zero, but pretty darn close.

I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

I know you said you're doing fine emotionally, but still be open to maybe needing to talk to a counselor after everything is said and done. Don't beat yourself up if you do start to get emotional.

Be gentle with your mind and your body

Thanks everyone. I have a counselor that I'm already seeing for other issues, and he says he is here to help if any issues do come up after all this. Good advice, I will be gentle to my mind and body.

It shouldn't take long at all. Somebody has to be there for you to drive you home, right? after the injection you will be knocked out, you probably won't remember anything after that until you wake up very drowsy. Listen to their words, and post-surg instructions, which they should tell you when you come in, part of their job is to lessen your anxiety

The abortion itself is a straightforward local procedure that does not affect your body as a whole. What affects the body as a whole is general anesthesia. That is why they won't release you right away. You should be ok going into the office on Monday, but take it easy on the weekend. Just take it easy. If you are in Tokyo, you should be able to take public transportation back home on your own, but a ride from a friend would be nice, too. Japan has first rate health care. Plus, it is not an open heart surgery anyway. You have no reasons to worrry and your body will be just as healthy as before.

Thanks. I'm just super squeamish about doctors and hospitals... even getting a cavity filled makes me freak out. I live in central Tokyo so I don't drive. The clinic is only about 6kms away from my house so I might just get a taxi home. My friends will be at work since I'm having it done on a weekday morning.

You do not sleep through dental procedures, probably.

leaving for the clinic soon...wish me luck

Good luck! Let us know how you're doing!

Well I survived. It was easily one of the most unpleasant things I've been through but the worst is over. The first thing they did was put me in the stirrups and examine down there, and when I stood up to go change I almost passed out from anxiety. They gave me an IV for 30 minutes which was uncomfortable but I got used to it. I got really scared when they put me back in the chair and it was time for the procedure, but then they knocked me out and it was over. It took me a long time to recover from the anesthesia actually. They had to give me 1.5x the normal amount because I'm a heavy drinker.... My friend came to pick me up but I was too woozy to get up or even talk to her for about two hours, oops. The cramps were really bad and the pain medication they gave me didn't help, it just made me nauseous. Finally about 4 hours after I first arrived at the clinic I was able to get up, got my antibiotics and paid my bill, and took a taxi home to my apartment with my friend. I have a heating pad on my stomach and I'm feeling much better than when I first got home. Emotionally I'm doing well so far. I do feel relieved that all this is over. The pregnancy hormones were making me really moody last week but I'm feeling more positive now. Petty things don't bother you as much after a big ordeal like this. I'm sorry that I had to go through all this but now I'm free to move on. Thanks, everyone.

you were very brave

Glad to hear that you are doing as well as can be!

Hope you can have a friend over for a relaxing movie night in to keep you company while you're getting plenty of rest.

Take care!

Please feel free to keep posting here as you go through the different stages of recovery!

I sympathize I'm glad you have support. I had none. Goodluck with your recovery

Have you started on the Pill?

I've actually never taken the pill... the thought of changing my hormones always put me off, and I'm very forgetful so I don't trust myself to remember to take it everyday.

What about setting a daily reminder on your phone?

you need to be on the Pill now - it would speed up the recovery and ensure that everything goes well. For at least several months, do take the Pill. As Trippin suggested, phone/email reminders, or you can put the medication next to the toothpaste tube. Either way.

I agree, I won't comment an abortion, its a very touch subject, I just wish you well, and get yourself on some good protection.

And, it should be the Pill, not shots or whatever, because of how gradually the hormones are delivered by the Pill.

For the future, the Pill has a better side effect profile than shots or vaginal rings, so try to get into the habit of using it daily.