"Post-miscarriage blood tests in corridor"

I recently miscarried at 10 weeks. I received good care and advice over the phone on a Monday, miscarried on a Tuesday and was seen by the early pregnancy unit on a Wednesday. Since I had no previous scan, the miscarriage was treated as a pregnancy of unknown location. That required a series of blood test to confirm that I was no longer pregnant. The care I received at the early pregnancy assessment unit was good, compassionate and supportive. However, I had one bad experience.

The third of four blood tests took place on a Sunday since the test had to happen every second day. As the early pregnancy assessment unit isn’t open on Sundays, I attended the gynaecology ward for my blood test.

I entered the ward and found a nurse to say I was there. They asked me to wait in the ward waiting area which was in the corridor outside until the doctor could see me. Which they described as not ideal.  No time estimate was given for how long I would wait. 

About 10 minutes later, the doctor came out and confirmed my name. Their manner was pleasant but various things made me feel uncomfortable and I left quite upset. 

• Firstly, they did not introduce themself by name or by role.

• Then they could not access a locked treatment room so they asked if I would be okay with having the bloods taken in the corridor waiting area. 

• It took a while to get enough blood and while this took place a visitor to the ward came sat down in the waiting area close to us.

• At this point, my arm hurt, I was already feel quite emotional due to the circumstances, and I felt embarrassed that people were around. I wanted to cry.

• After the doctor was finished, they did not offer me a plaster and left me with my jumper partially off and top sleeve rolled up holding cotton wool to my arm. They said see you later and walked away back into the ward without further conversation.

• I cried in the car park over what should have been a more manageable appointment given it was the third one. 

I imagine the doctor is still learning and taking bloods is a fairly routine and straightforward occurence for them. For me though it wasn’t and I would have appreciated more thought, care and simple customer service in the scenario.