A client travelling from Northern Ireland to England to access abortion care
If the gestation of your pregnancy is under 9 weeks and 6 days abortion services are now being provided locally in Northern Ireland.
If the gestation of your pregnancy is over 10 weeks, or if you need a surgical abortion, you can access free abortion care in England, and we can help you arrange travel and overnight accommodation.
“Although getting an abortion was a difficult experience, the staff at the MSI clinic could not have been more reassuring.”
A client shares her experience of travelling from Northern Ireland to England, to access a surgical abortion with MSI.
“When I took a test and found out I was pregnant, it was such a shock, and I knew immediately that I wanted an abortion.”
I had used emergency contraception but did not realise that it is ineffective after you have ovulated (To read more about how emergency contraception works, visit this page).
As I live in Northern Ireland, I went to a clinic in Belfast to have my scan. I was so nervous for the appointment, but the midwife could not have been more lovely and made me feel at ease. I found out I was 12 weeks pregnant, which meant I needed a surgical abortion. In Northern Ireland, abortion services are provided locally if the gestation of your pregnancy is under 9 weeks and 6 days. If the gestation of your pregnancy is over 10 weeks, you have no option but to travel to England for treatment.
“On the day of my appointment, I was very anxious but all the staff at the clinic were so friendly and patient.”
After finding out that information I rang MSI, and they booked me in for a surgical abortion in their Ealing (West London) Clinic for under two weeks later. I had a phone consultation before the appointment and a call with the admin team to arrange transport and accommodation. As I used to live in London, they very kindly booked me a flight a few days before my appointment so I could see family and friends beforehand.
On the day of my appointment, I was very anxious but all the staff at the clinic were so friendly and patient. I had a pre-assessment first, which was followed by my actual appointment. I was given general anaesthetic during the procedure, so I woke up after it was finished and was taken to the recovery room.
I experienced almost no pain and was given all the abortion aftercare information I needed. I stayed in the recovery room for about half an hour and had a cup of tea and some biscuits. All the staff at MSI were so kind and made me feel a lot less anxious.
I was able to fly back to Northern Ireland that night and go back to work a couple of days later. Although getting an abortion was a difficult experience, the staff at the MSI clinic made me feel reassured in my decision.
You can read more abortion stories at this link.
“All the MSI staff were so kind and made me feel a lot less anxious.”
AN MSI CLIENT
DECEMBER 2022
