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Abortion services

We specialise in abortion treatments, advice and support for women considering their pregnancy options.

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Who we are

We're the leading independent provider of sexual and reproductive health services in the UK.

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Feli's story

18 January 2018

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    "I'm sharing my experience because I think that every woman needs to know that abortion is a difficult choice, it makes you feel a lot of mixed emotions - but if you decide to go through with it, you will not feel alone at Marie Stopes."

    Feli, aged 19, knew she didn't want to get pregnant yet, so she visited her GP and started using the contraceptive pill:

    "I started my first tablet of Microgynon and waited for 7 days before having sex, as my GP told me to. At the end of the course I didn't have my period, so I went to my medical centre again and they told me to continue, because this can occur in the first 3 months of taking it.

    "I finished my second course, and again, no period. I did a pregnancy test from the doctor and it was negative, so I continued with the pill because I didn't have any symptoms of pregnancy. I finished the third course and still there was no period. I changed my pill, and no period again. By now I was feeling so pumped up, and I knew that there was something wrong.

    "Eventually I did two pregnancy tests, and both were positive!"

    I went to the Manchester centre and they were all absolutely beautiful with me - all the staff were lovely and kind with all the women that had to make a difficult choice that day.
    Feli
    Client from Manchester

    Feli visited her doctor again who confirmed the pregnancy. She decided right then and there that she couldn't continue the pregnancy, and so her doctor referred her to Marie Stopes UK.

    "On my first appointment I found out that I was 20 weeks pregnant! And I didn't know anything - no symptoms, no vomit, nothing.  It all seemed to me like a nightmare. I was careful in everything.

    "The process took 2 weeks in total - between my first consultation and my second appointment (when I had the actual abortion). I went to the Manchester centre and they were all absolutely beautiful with me, all the staff were lovely and kind with all the women that had to make a difficult choice that day.

    "Because I was far along with the pregnancy, the process needed to be longer. They took my blood pressure and tested for chlamydia, and they gave me a form to sign with all the risks and explaining the process.

    "When it was my time to go in I was so scared about being put to sleep. I went to the theatre and the doctor put the drugs into my hand, it's so strange because you can feel it in your veins like a cold liquid and you can also taste the flavour in your mouth, but then I didn't see anything, completely dark, like a long sleep. You can't remember anything, but some people dream, and then when I woke up I was on my recliner and my first thought was: 'it's all over, all done, it was just a couple of minutes'.

    "I was inside the theatre for 20 minutes, it seemed like 1 second. I was feeling woozy, but that's normal and I had a little bit of a headache, but that's normal too. Then you start to feel better and the staff will give you painkillers, water, coffee or tea and some lovely biscuits (I ate something like 10 biscuits - they were delicious!).

    "When you feel better they will bring you back to the reception and give you the aftercare book, and here you can meet the person that came with you. 

    "When I woke up I was on my recliner and my first thought was: 'it's all over, all done, it was just a couple of minutes'."

    Looking to the future, Feli is optimistic about starting a family one day - when she feels ready for one.

    "It was a hard choice. I was taking the pill to avoid this kind of thing, but sometimes it can happen and you need to make a choice. I was thinking about continuing the pregnancy at one point, but the circumstances were not good.  I was only 'going out' with the dad, and in any case he didn't want to keep the baby.

    "He was very bad with me, and was not with me during the procedure - my best friend was with me instead. I asked him only to be with me so I wasn't alone, and because we were in this mess together, but he was selfish.

    "I'm too young to have a baby now, and I need to find myself before. I want to be happy when I try for a baby in the future and so my pregnancy tests will be a positive, not a problem.

     

    I learnt a lot from this experience, and Marie Stopes was very helpful - they take care of every single woman, from start to finish, and they don't make you feel alone.

     

    "The only thing that I know is that my children will be loved and cherished, and they will have everything that they need to, especially a dad that will love them, and a dad that will always be there for them."

    If you need to talk...

    We are here to talk through your pregnancy options with you, and to help you access the care and support you need. Call us on 0345 300 8090 today.

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