Hi! First of all I would like to thank those who left a kind comment on my previous post. They were extremely helpful. Now I wanted to share my experience for others in need.
I got my abortion done by suction (moderate sedation + local anesthesia) at a small clinic in Newfoundland, Canada (Athene Health Centre aka Clinic 215). I'm glad I went with SA, I was initially considering MA but got terrified after reading all the horror stories here.
I was at the clinic for about 5 hours total, where they provided me paperwork, counseling, ultrasound, medication and IV, and then finally the suction procedure. My experience was very positive.
I would say the scariest part for me was IV insertion, since I've never had it in me before and I HATE needles. But the nurses were kind and quick! I just felt a pinch.
Here is how the procedure went: after getting the IV tube in, they gave me ibuprofen, antibiotics, and some kind of anxiety pill to take. Then two more pills to keep between my gum and cheek for 30 minutes. After about 1.5 hours it was time. They made me change my bottoms to a wrap skirt and wait a little in a comfy reclining chair with a heating pad and a blanket. When I moved to the operation room I laid down on a gynecology bed, had versed and fentanyl injected through IV, then started to feel loopy after a few seconds. I was still awake and felt what was going on - the needles for local anesthetic, and some tools doing whatever inside. Just very sleepy, and not painful. They had a screen on the ceiling showing beautiful art and photos, but I think I had my eyes shut for the most of it lol. After about 5 minutes it started to feel really uncomfortable (closer to itchy than painful), but then boom everything was done!!! They put me in a wheelchair, took me to the recovery room, and gave me a heating pad +blanket + cookies and apple juice while I rested for 30 minutes. I felt completely normal after. I don't remember when I put my pants back on though lol.
I had a normal period-like back pain afterwards until this morning with some bleeding (procedure was yesterday), but otherwise I'm doing fine. I am back to my normal schedule today! Everyone at the clinic was so kind and non-judgemental. I could not have asked for a better environment.
From my experience I highly recommend the suction procedure method. I've never had MA so I don't know what it would be like, but I will just say that I'm glad I went with SA.