"So grate there are nurses out there providing..."

I have just been to bpas Richmond for my second abortion after my contraception failed me. I was 7 weeks pregnant and was able to have a consultation and the pill method of abortion all on the same day. It was a long day with a lot of waiting around (from start to finish it took about 6 hours), but I was just relieved not to be pregnant afterwards. Staff were amazingly friendly, caring and non-judgmental. A few years ago it was a different story for me. I found myself pregnant - I wasn't using any contraception then but somehow it was still a shock to be in that position. I considered the idea of continuing with the pregnancy - it would have been nice, but I wasn't in a stable relationship with the father. Eventually I had to make a decision and when I had my consultation I was 22 weeks pregnant. I really felt ashamed that I had allowed the baby to grow to that size before making a decision - deep down I had known from the start I couldn't keep it but just liked the idea of having it for a while at least. The staff at Richmond were very welcoming, from Receptionists to the surgeon who carried out my procedure. I did not feel judged at all and everyone was polite. Yes, there was a lot of waiting around, but I imagine there aren't many nurses and doctors queuing up to do this type of job so I just had to be patient. The procedure I had was done over 2 days, and there was some pain and discomfort, especially with the tablets they put in my vagina to dilate my cervix. I had been reading up online about what the procedure would actually entail (that the baby would not come out as a whole, to put it delicately), and I couldn't imagine how anyone could do the job of an abortion surgeon. I still have some guilt over not doing it earlier in the pregnancy - I could have just taken some tablets and passed it like a period when I was about 8 weeks. I have since had some professional counselling to help me cope with my decision, and I know I am a better person now than what I was a few years back. I am really grateful that there are clinics like this about, allowing women to make the lifestyle choices that suit them. Yeah, I could have had that first baby, but it would have disrupted my studies and career plans. I am glad I waited. Now I am happily married with 4 beautiful children. That may not have been possible if there weren't doctors and nurses out there who are doing this job. I couldn't do what they do and I fully understand why there isn't an abortion clinic around every street corner - it cant be an easy service to run!

Thank you to everyone at bpas Richmond Clinic for what they did for me!