"Please do not be put off by bad reviews ."

I am 21 and was referred to Marie Stopes by my GP at 14 weeks, never had I heard of them therefore I was even more nervous for my experience.

I firstly spoke to the booking team who scheduled me for my medical assessment over the phone with a nurse whom asked me a series of questions about my medical history and my reason for abortion. After this I was called back by a lovely lady who booked me in for my pre consultation, this took place at the Maidstone Centre, where I was due to have my scan to get an accurate measuring of how far along I was and other blood tests, unfortunately I feel that the staff here do not go about their work in the most caring way possible as I felt rushed out the doors without many showing compassion other than the lovely receptionist. I was then scheduled to have my surgical abortion at Buckhurst Hill, honestly, they made my experience as gentle an compassionate as possible. The staff here are beyond helpful, talking through each step, allowing you to cry when you need to cry, they truly are a dream, for someone like me who was like a shaky leaf going in.

The only annoying thing about the whole thing was probably the waiting but there’s no way to avoid it, that’s if your having general anaesthetic like I did, firstly you will sign your consent forms and go over what will happen then after a wait you are escorted upstairs to the theatre area where I was given the medication that would help soften the neck of my womb, I sat in comfort with a blanket an hot water bottle constantly being checked on by the amazing ward nurses whilst I waited for the medicine to work. After about 2 hours I was taken into theatre by the nicest lady there unfortunately I didn’t catch her name but she was so gentle, allowing me to have a cry on her shoulder as it all begin to feel real. Afterwards I was welcomed into theatre by another nurse whom introduced me to the team that would be helping me. Unfortunately this is the most daunting bit, sitting on the bed having to lay your legs apart but during this I was spoken to softly by the doctor an nurse whom distracted me as I was injected with the anesthetic. Next thing I knew I was back in recovery in my chair being offered tea an biscuits, with not a memory of what went on in theatre. The nurses assured me everything went as it should an now I just needed to rest, eat & ensure I could pass urine an was bleeding correctly and I could go. The room is not huge now but it is comforting to see an talk to others who are in the same boat. After 40 minutes of resting and indulging in the best tea an biscuits the nurse measured my blood pressure gave me my antibiotics and I was a free woman.

Overall I cant fault this centre they made my experience as smooth as it could be and I will forever be grateful. Unfortunately pregnancy was not right for me at this time and that was the toughest realisation to come to and I’m still working on it but I do know that when the time is right I will cherish it even mo