"Surgical abortion"

I visited Marie Stopes to have a surgical abortion at 16 weeks as my baby had a fetal abnormality and the NHS only offered medical management.

Everyone I came into contact with at Marie Stopes was friendly and caring. I was very upset at having to go through the procedure as this was a wanted pregnancy. A nurse noticed that I was upset and spent time talking to me and making me feel better.

I was terrified in the run up to the procedure but I needn't have worried so much. The tablets they gave made me feel shivery and started stomach cramps however this was like period pain and was manageable and the shivering stopped after about 45 mins. The staff also provide you with pain relief.

The only bit that I felt could have been done better was when I was left outside the theatre in a very small room like a cupboard with a sheet wrapped round my bottom half. I found this to be quite scary as I was sat alone for around 10 or 15 minutes until the theatre was ready.

Once in theatre, the anaesthetist and the nurse were so kind and held my hand as I was put to sleep. Afterwards I had cramping but this was again manageable and I was able to leave within an hour of going in for surgery.

My partner wasn't able to accompany me for any part but there isn't much space with the other ladies anyway and this aspect wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.

Overall I found the experience to be not as bad as I imagined which was down in no small part to the lovely nurses and staff who were so kind and caring.