LINK TO ORIGINAL – [https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/rg7yhn/abortion_in_ireland_advice/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/rg7yhn/abortion_in_ireland_advice/)

**Day 1.**

Went to the doc, unfortunately don’t offer the service but said to call my options, not judgmental which was nice but a bit stressful as I felt I had taken a step backwards

Called MyOptions when I got home, the woman on the phone was lovely and very helpful, took my address and advised where would offer the services in my area.Called the doc and got an emergency appt as I was closer to 10 weeks than 8 which I had initially thought, got an appt for 9am the next day

**Day 2.**

Went to the doctor, he was extremely welcoming and helpful, I didn’t feel judged at all, which was so reassuring. He talked to me about what I would likely have to do, which was go to the hospital for the surgical abortion, as I was getting closer to the line. He asked some routine questions, took a urine sample to confirm the pregnancy, and then gave me a booklet with some info. He answered any questions I posed to him with genuine care and consideration. The documentation was sent to the hospital, and advised they would call to schedule an appointment after the 3 waiting days are up.

**Day 3-5.**

These waiting days were actually very difficult. I was certain of my decision even before this, so having to deal with the symptoms of pregnancy while waiting to have a call to schedule the termination was tough. Seeing as I got the appointment on the Tuesday, the earliest I could expect the call was Friday.

I was still reeling from the news by the Thursday and paired with nausea and vomiting made working through the week tough, overall it was a bizarre limbo to exist in.

**Day 6.**

There was actually a mix up with my referral, so after not hearing anything, I had called the hospital to follow up and they told me they didn’t receive it, which was very stressful, they took my details, contacted my doctor and sorted it within about 30 mins, after they called back they advised the doctor in the hospital would phone me to talk me through what would happen next.

The doctor on the phone was very informative, and helpful, she was blunt about what to expect and made me aware of things I hadn’t even considered, like what they do with the foetus once its removed (Cremation or sent to a religious burial type establishment), she said I would also need a scan to confirm the timeline, but let me know I didn’t have to look as it can be upsetting.

I was given an appointment to come in the next day to get bloods done, sign consent forms, and meet with the doctor to discuss the procedure

Most importantly, they told me that as I was going to have to have the surgery, I would need to take tablets the night before to ‘relax’ my womb, which would make the termination and recovery easier. She also let me know that if I wanted she could put in a coil while I was under, which I thought about but didn’t go for in the end.

**Day 7.**

I arrived at the hospital and after giving some details was taken to the ward to wait for the doctor I spoke to on the phone, she explained the next steps, and then brought me down for a scan. She turned off all of the screens and made sure that I didn’t see the ultrasound after asking my preference. Then we went back to the ward and she walked me through the procedure, read some forms and got consent signatures. After that I did bloods and was given 4 tablets, 2 to take that night and then two for the next morning, these relax your womb/cervix and will make the procedure/recovery easier. From here I fasted from midnight due to the anaesthetic.

**Day 8.**

We arrived at the hospital for 7am, went upstairs and got a room, they separate you so you don’t have to be around pregnant women/babies if they can avoid it to keep you in as good a place mentally as you can be. I put on a gown, and then waited in the room for about 40 mins with my bf. I had bloods done again, breathing was checked, was weighed, and spoke with the anaesthesiologist. At this point I was nervous as I didn’t know how my body would react afterwards. I went to theatre with one of the doctors and she inserted a cannula and drip. The whole time I was in there everyone (about 6 doctors) was talking to me and making jokes. Then one doctor said she would give me something to relax, she said ‘this is the most pain you will feel today’, which made me a bit loopy for 20 seconds and that’s all I remember. I woke up in a recovery ward, with my blood pressure being monitored, and being looked after. Then was wheeled back to my room where my bf was (whole thing took about an hour between the procedure and recovery), and was given tea and toast, then I snoozed for a few hours.

EDIT: they also give you a special pregnancy test to take 2 weeks after the procedure, it picks up tiny pregnancy hormone traces to confirm the termination, not sure what happens if it’s failed, may depend person to person.

After that I was discharged as I was able to go to the bathroom without getting faint, had eaten, and was feeling good in general, in for 7am out at 12pm.

I don’t know if I’m very lucky, but I hardly feel any pain right now. I’m bleeding and a bit crampy but if I wanted to go for a walk I don’t think there would be anything stopping me. Maybe in the next few days it will get worse, but overall I felt a massive relief afterwards, I’m not nauseous for the first time in weeks, I can look forward to Christmas with my family, and I’ve never felt more certain about my decision.

At the end of the day I’m glad I made this choice, and am so appreciative to those who reached out. This is a very personal thing to decide, and can be quite invasive, so please really think about what’s right for you if you need to.

**I’ve linked the below comments as they were extremely helpful, and gave me a lot of reassurance:**

* [https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/rg7yhn/abortion_in_ireland_advice/hokfviy/?context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/rg7yhn/abortion_in_ireland_advice/hokfviy/?context=3)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/rg7yhn/abortion_in_ireland_advice/hojbrif/?context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/rg7yhn/abortion_in_ireland_advice/hojbrif/?context=3)

**Here is a list of resources for anyone who may need it in the future:**

* [My Options](https://www2.hse.ie/services/unplanned-pregnancy-support-services/my-options-freephone-line.html)
* [https://www2.hse.ie/file-library/unplanned-pregnancy/guide-to-medical-abortion.pdf](https://www2.hse.ie/file-library/unplanned-pregnancy/guide-to-medical-abortion.pdf)
* [https://www2.hse.ie/file-library/unplanned-pregnancy/guide-to-surgical-abortion.pdf](https://www2.hse.ie/file-library/unplanned-pregnancy/guide-to-surgical-abortion.pdf)
* [https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/abortion/gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnuGNBhCPARIsACbnLzp0HAGws3d_QfTPVzLZVruM4yKD267u-Nf-19YUxeVV6tHsjQqkTlQaAlR5EALw_wcB](https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/abortion/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnuGNBhCPARIsACbnLzp0HAGws3d_QfTPVzLZVruM4yKD267u-Nf-19YUxeVV6tHsjQqkTlQaAlR5EALw_wcB)
* [https://www.ifpa.ie/get-care/abortion/](https://www.ifpa.ie/get-care/abortion/)
* [https://www.ifpa.ie/get-care/specialist-pregnancy-counselling/](https://www.ifpa.ie/get-care/specialist-pregnancy-counselling/)
* [ttps://www2.hse.ie/services/unplanned-pregnancy-support-services/my-options-freephone-line.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnuGNBhCPARIsACbnLzpu0jmAbKrwa0Tf9-DwPTkb28FuAPaNCglzFIuEkLjKHrl0AgdHeyQaAlvcEALw_wcB](https://www2.hse.ie/services/unplanned-pregnancy-support-services/my-options-freephone-line.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnuGNBhCPARIsACbnLzpu0jmAbKrwa0Tf9-DwPTkb28FuAPaNCglzFIuEkLjKHrl0AgdHeyQaAlvcEALw_wcB)
* [https://www.safeireland.ie/get-help/](https://www.safeireland.ie/get-help/)
* [https://www.womensaid.ie/help/](https://www.womensaid.ie/help/)
* [https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/](https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/)

46 comments

  1. I also just wanted again to thank you all so so much, you really reassured me and comforted me. I also would like to thank the people who I would class as ‘Pro-life’ who reached out to me with genuine concern, and shared their thoughts, though we did not agree on such a controversial topic, you spoke to me with respect and showed me that this doesn’t have to be such a polarising topic.

  3. Thanks for writing this piece OP, it was very informative.

    I’m saving it – hopefully I don’t need it for reference in the future but if I do you’ve laid it out very well.

    Mind yourself and I hope you’re doing OK

  5. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, valuable and reassuring for anyone who will need it. I’m sorry you were put through the stress of the three day wait. It’s so unnecessary and needlessly cruel. and I hope it’s done away with soon. Take care and I hope you have a good recovery.

  6. I am so happy you got on so well with yours. I had DM’d you when you originally put the post up. I’m currently going through a medical abortion and I’m finding it quite painful but it just feels like a painful period. Looking forward to not being nauseous for Christmas myself x

  8. Thank you so much for posting your experience. There’s very little out there so this is going to be invaluable to someone.

  10. I’m relieved that I wasn’t outraged reading this. I’m so happy to hear you are on the mend and received respect in your decision!

  13. Thank you for the information, very informativeand I’mglad to see that you didn’t deal with any judgement in the medical setting. I’m glad it went well for you & that you’re okay!
    Wishing you and yours a lovely Christmas 🎄

  15. Amazing that you were put under, operated on and discharged within 5 hours.

    Fair play OP. Really brave decision you made. Have a good Christmas!

  16. Good for you pal. Glad it went well for you and thank for sharing your experience. Knowing Ireland I’d say the mix-up was innocent enough, and can happen to anyone.

  17. Thanks for sharing. I’m unlikely to experience this so it’s great to hear what the reality is or will be for many. And you’re wonderful and brave to share, thank you

  19. So informative and clear, thanks for sharing I’m glad to have read this if I ever have to consider similar in the future. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

  20. Thanks so much for posting this, OP. Ot was really informative. Can I ask about all the costs involved? Did you have to pay for the doctor’s visit where they didn’t do anything for you?

  21. Fair play for making the post. We need to make talking about alot of things like this normal in our country

  22. I had a D&C for a molar pregnancy and the relief after the surgery was so great. The extreme nausea went away completely after I woke up and the tea and toast in the ward was the first I’d been able to keep down in so long. Sounds like they took good care of you. I’ve done both the pills and the D&C for missed miscarriages and I prefer the surgical hands down.

  23. I’m actually so proud of you and everyone involved for how this experience went. I hope that doesn’t sound odd. Just, Jesus it’s miles from where we were and long overdue of what level of care our people should be receiving.

    Wishing you a speedy recovery and a merry Christmas with your family.

  26. One of the few highly important and valuable posts on this sub. Delighted you’re in a better place. Merry Christmas.

  28. Always wondered as an international student studying here. If the situation occurs, would i be able to have a free abortion here in Ireland as well? If not, how much would I pay? I would really like to know. Couldnt find a straight forward answer on this online. Just found out last week i could get a free self-tested STI kit which was a blessing for those who still shame from talking about Reproductive Health.

  29. This is the best and most important post I have seen on this sun. Thank you for being so open, honest and brave OP. I wish you all the best in the future

  30. This is an amazing post.

    I don’t know if you’re on /r/childfree, but a post like this would definitely be well received. If you can, repost it (not sure if cross-posting is allowed – maybe message the mods about it so it won’t automatically be deleted?) as women and men are always looking for resources that are trustworthy and supportive.

    I’m so glad that it was a positive experience for you, that you stuck with your decision and weren’t talked out of doing what you felt was best for you.

  31. Thanks for posting this. I think it will really help other young women who search for abortion in Ireland. I’m so glad it went well and smoothly. As a healthcare worker, we can’t always be proud of the service we provide (often due to resourcing) but I am so proud, issue w/referral aside, that you were treated with compassion and kindness. Our health service doesn’t really trigger the loyalty of the NHS in the UK but I’m so proud of our healthcare providers, especially in the stress of the last 2 years.

    I’m also really glad you’re happy with your decision, sounds like you really considered it carefully and made the decision that was right for you. I hope the rest of the recovery goes really well and you have a lovely Christmas – you’ll be in my thoughts!

  32. Glad to hear it all went well for you OP.

    Look after yourself over the next few weeks, keep an eye on the mental health and make sure you talk when if you need to.

    Have a wonderful Christmas.xx

  34. Have an amazing Christmas OP, we all hope you rest up well and enjoy yourself. You deserve it with the stress of the last few days!

  36. Thinking of you 🤗 it’s not an easy decision or procedure, whatever others may say. It was your choice. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, rest up.

  37. I didn’t even know they started doing abortions here so this was a very educational post. Good on ya for being so brave.

  39. Good on you OP, thanks for posting and sharing your experiences and (now) knowledge. Since the time between your posts my SO has found that she may be expecting. I’m pretty anti abortion from my side but she does not want children, we have a great lifestyle. Whatever our soon to be choices are (might just be a dud test) thanks for your candid review of the process, oddly it’s comforting. The very best for your future

  40. Thank you so much for sharing your journey, and providing such an informative update. I’m glad you felt supported along the way by the different folks that you encountered.

    I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family, wishing you all the best ❤

  42. Thanks for sharing. I recently had a medical abortion (just the tablets as wasn’t far enough along for surgery) through a family planning clinic and a similar experience with all involved. Everyone was very respectful and non judgemental, while still being firm enough to ensure it was both my decision and that I was sure about it. I was told if it didn’t work I’d have to go to the maternity hospital and honestly that scared me after past experiences there (when I was having a child) so it’s good to hear of your positive experience.

    I was asked about a coil as well but had to wait til after the two week pregnancy test to schedule to talk to someone about it. Weirdly everyone I met in relation to that was comparatively awful and has almost put me off getting it. Due to their policies and Christmas I have to wait til Jan 6th (around a month after my appointment to discuss it) and I’m half considering not going through with it all based on the way they treated me in there (same place, different staff) its mad that the choice of contraceptive would make people unpleasant and judgemental, makes no sense to me!

  43. Thank you for sharing OP, i wish I was able to find this information when I had my own abortion.

    I must say myoptions is really good. I had a very good experience with them to so its great to read your experience to.

    I was early enough for just the tablets.

  45. Thank you for sharing this. I can only imagine the messages you must be getting from pro-lifers, especially of the American persuasion.

    This will really help someone who is in in a similar situation so good on you for laying all the information out.

    Interestingly I had to take those womb relaxing tablets before I got my IUD in Nov 2017, the pharmacist actually rang my doctor to verify they prescribed them. I asked my doctor why that was at my insertion appointment and she told me that they are used in terminations. This was before the repeal the 8th referendum so they were jumpy any time it was prescribed.

    On a personal level, I know several women who went to Liverpool and made the distressing flight home bleeding. I’m so glad that we have moved forward as a nation that you got the care in Ireland.

  46. Fair play to you for being so open about this. I am sure it’ll help someone else in the same situation down the line.

    Best of luck with the recovery and I hope you have a fantastic Christmas with your family!

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