"Medical management of miscarriage"

I went to my 12-week pregnancy ultrasound scan and very sadly there was no heartbeat. This was a complete shock and my partner and I were very shocked and upset. The nurses were great, saying that they were really sorry for our loss and offered us a second nurse’s opinion, which we took. Another nurse from early pregnancy then took us through the options, either medical management at home or surgery. Each was explained briefly and leaflets with more details provided. I felt well cared for 

However, the medical management of miscarriage at home was extremely painful and I do not think this was clearly spelt out enough when the options were explained. I was told paracetamol and a hot water bottle would help and to take them at the right time. I did both of these and took ibuprofen too. They did not make a dent in the pain I experienced, I was writhing about, screaming in agony for 3.5 hours. I could not keep still despite all the drugs,  4 hot water bottles and an electric blanket. I couldn’t even take a drink from a glass, my partner had to help me. Furthermore, the pain came in phase, which were I think contractions, which made the whole thing worse and felt like a mini labour.

I called the early pregnancy ward to explain how bad it was and they basically just said that’s how it was and to call back in 2 hours if it was still bad and I could get codeine over the counter at a pharmacy if needed. 2 hours later I called back as the pain had eased off but I had another 2 pills to take and was so scared about how much torturous pain I would be in again. The member of staff I spoke to was not at all sympathetic and said I must take the pills, that is was just part of the procedure and it felt like they threatened me by saying if I didn’t take them now I would just have to do the procedure again in a few days. I felt absolutely terrible and that the hospital did not care about the pain I was experiencing (I think I have a high pain threshold as I have a chronic illness). 

Thankfully I had my mum and my partner in the house as I could not be left alone my mum went to get the pills. The pharmacy couldn’t give them but provided stronger ibuprofen. Thankfully these 2 pills didn’t have much a painful affect. 

I would recommend that Forth Valley Royal Hospital Early Pregnancy ward: a) explicitly explains to patients how potentially painful the procedure is and that it could feel like mini contractions, b) offers patients codeine to take home as it does not make sense to think that one can get in the car and get some when in absolute agony.

Thank you to the staff, I’m sure they were doing their best with very stretched resources. Hopefully this small change could help really improve patients’ experiences for the better and not have such a traumatic experience of miscarriage.