"Early pregnancy unit experiences"

Two experiences of care when having a miscarriage at RAH early pregnancy unit.

What was good? 

1st miscarriage: Some staff showed compassion and explained the process of assessing if it was a miscarriage. Having separate area prior/after scan was really helpful. Having separate waiting area to those who were pregnant also was helpful. Midwife explained that constipation can be common and this explained the pain I was still in. I had described this pain on each occasion (4 visits) and it was only on the fourth time the midwife identified this can happen and offered advice, which was reassuring as I was concerned. 

2nd miscarriage : Midwives/Health care assistant showed significant compassion and really empathised this time. They said they were sorry for my loss and were clear it was a miscarriage from the start. Good understanding of my situation - felt person centred. Offered further support. Was able to do pregnancy test at home (although not ideal) after having bloods twice, which saved me having to go back to hospital and re-experience a reminder of the loss. I did find the staff member very helpful and reassuring when I initially phoned following bleeding. 

What could have been better? 

1st miscarriage : I did not find all the staff showed compassion i.e. after the loss and explaining how physically I was still in pain/taking some time off work, two midwives said that if I was well, I was well. I did not feel well and did not feel they had listened to me. They could have explained more clearly why I had to get my bloods done 4 times, when initially I was advised likelihood would only be twice. I asked on the fourth time and the midwife did clarify this.

Going to the hospital repeatedly was very difficult as it was a reminder of the loss. I had to ask after the third time I had my bloods , if I had a miscarriage as I had not been told this. The response was yes,  and they said it seemed I had. There were no words of empathy about my loss. I think it would be helpful to be informed of the miscarriage. Having a leaflet of common symptoms following a miscarriage to feel reassured - what I was experiencing - could be normal. I am mindful that everyone has different experiences, but a general idea of what's happened would be helpful. I had no information about what is typically normal after a miscarriage, which I found difficult as I had not experienced this before.

 

2nd miscarriage: I had to get my bloods done at the weekend, this was on the ward 32, which is across from baby unit. This was very difficult considering the losses I had experienced and could see families in/out with their new-borns. I wonder if the early pregnancy room could be used if patients have to come in at the weekend? I think this would be more sensitive and supportive of patients' mental health and wellbeing. The doctor I had seen did not seem to know why I was there and did not ask how I was. I had asked to clarify the referral that had been made for me and they said they were unable to do this.