"Lack of compassion and increase anxiety"

I phoned  NHS24 due to testing positive for Covid, being Immuno-compromised and also 9 weeks pregnant. NHS24 was extremely busy and was on hold for 2 hours before I spoke to a call handler, who was very understanding of my call and spoke to the nurse at NHS24, who advised that they would like a Dr to phone me back due to symptoms and current situation.

A doctor phoned me back. They were very understanding and showed compassion towards my situation, which was a very stressful time due to covid, Immuno-compromised and also 9 weeks pregnant. Due to the symptoms I was experiencing, this doctor wanted me to speak to a consultant from the covid department and ensure antiviral treatments were safe during pregnancy. They asked me to call the Hub in the morning due to public holiday and time this evening.

The doctor phoned me again to see how I was, and to ask if I had spoken to consultant yet. I can’t thank this doctor enough for how they dealt with this situation and care and compassion showed towards me at such a stressful time. 

A Dr from Covid helpline called me back. They didn’t realise I was pregnant as they were going through a questionnaire for antiviral medication. I was advised that treatment was very different when pregnant. Dr asked me how I knew I was pregnant, which I advised I had taken a early pregnancy test and was nearly 9 weeks pregnant at this point. Dr advised that they were going to speak to an obstetrician and phoned me back.

When this Dr from the Covid helpline phoned me back they were then talking about how things can naturally terminate, and also asked me if I could go and take a pregnancy test to see if it’s positive or negative, as if it’s negative they would be able to prescribe antiviral medications. I explained that I was definitely pregnant as I had been for a private scan as well to prove this. I said to this Dr that I am sorry to interrupt but I hope I am still pregnant, to which the Dr said they congratulate me on this.

The obstetrician referred me to have a scan to validate my pregnancy. Due to speaking to this consultant, I was very nervous after conversation. I was told this day that I was having a silent miscarriage and lost my baby 3 weeks ago. 

I found the Dr from the covid line to be very inappropriate saying statements in this sense when a women is very early pregnant and is aware that miscarriage happens but to add additional stress on when already having a stressful and upsetting time and panicking because of current situation.

 

I don’t feel like this was dealt with appropriately and after phone call with this Dr, I was upset and annoyed. I felt like I had to tell my story so this Dr acknowledges how they dealt with my situation and doesn’t cause other pregnant women to worry and anxiety that is unnecessary.