"Room for improvement"

I had a medical abortion at the Sylvia Pankhurst Centre.I got an initial appointment quickly &was booked in for a termination a few days after.I also received post-termination counselling quickly when I asked for it.During the procedure I was well looked after &the nurses were kind.Negatives:

1.The initial assessment:I was in hospital for 3.5 hours, waiting.It was difficult to arrange time off work without knowing when I could leave.

2.The website says "you'll be given an opportunity to talk about your feelings,get info about the procedures &clarify any concerns you may have."No one asked about my feelings or why I was considering an abortion.I was asked for practical details & given the info needed for me to have one.

The nurse rolled her eyes when I told her I was using Natural Cycles &when I asked if it was painful to have the coil fitted she said "you want to have an abortion; that's painful".I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to have an abortion so this felt harsh.She asked if I was sure,as did the doctor,&both recorded that I responded "no".Both mentioned counselling,but didn't tell me how to get it or if it'd impact how quickly I could have the abortion.

I wish I'd spoken to the counsellor beforehand to help me make the decision &that this'd been part of the original assessment,as the literature advertises.They describe holistic treatment,when really it's just physical,unless you request counselling.I was surprised no one asked again if I was sure on the day of the termination.It felt like there was a desire to get it done,rather than ensure it was the best option for me.

3.The nurse pressured me to decide what contraception I'd use after the abortion.I've been practising safe sex using different methods of contraception for 15 years-this pressure made me feel like a naughty school girl who'd had unprotected sex.I was actually completely confused about how I got pregnant & really upset by that.

This led to me having a coil fitted on the day of my termination.I didnt know what the coil looked like/how it worked,&the Dr didn't tell me.I'd been in the clinic all day &was really tired &wanting to go home.The Dr chatted to the for 20mins before taking me to the treatment room.She messed around with the fan &moved my clothing around the room 2-3 times before starting. She told me she'd be "very gentle" but the initial checks didn’t feel gentle.It wasnt til I asked "will my partner be able to feel the coil?" that she said "oh yes, I forgot to tell you that" She also said "you will need to check your strings regularly".That was the extent of the info I got &I was too emotionally &physically drained to ask for more.When the coil dislodged 2weeks later I couldn't tell what'd happened- I felt something hard &thought it could be the strings.I went to the Dr &they sent me home with the morning after pill &suggested fitting a new coil as emergency contraception.This could've been avoided if I'd been given the full info about the coil &how to check it.