"Excellent Care from all Staff"

I called pregnancy support as I was experiencing some spotting for a couple days, they told me to call back the next day if this was still ongoing. The spotting continued, I was in my 10th week and growing increasingly worried, so I was booked in the next morning for a scan at the Royal Infirmary.

Once I arrived with my partner, we were seen promptly and had our first ultrasound, during the ultrasound we were told that they couldn’t see a fetus in the womb. They then did a transvaginal ultrasound which showed an ectopic pregnancy with some clotting in the right fallopian tube.

The pregnancy support staff were very gentle in the delivery of the news and gave me and my partner time to process it.

There needed to be more tests done to determine what treatment I could have and after some blood had been taken, the doctor was called in to explain that my only option would be a laparoscopy. I was then prepared for surgery, informed in detail about the procedure and the possible risks, a cannula was fitted and a single room was given to me in ward 210.

I was added to the emergency list for theatre and waited a while but was given the best care in the meantime. The staff in the ward were friendly and kind, which in a situation like this one was very much what we needed.

While I was waiting an anaesthesiologist came to speak with me and check my medical history, explain what the anaesthesia would be like and prepare me for the process.

When the time had come for me to go into theatre, a nurse and doctor came to see me and ensured I had understood the procedure I was going to undergo, they checked all my information and took me to theatre. There I was talked through everything again, I was given oxygen and told when the anaesthesia was being administered. The nurse that was there with me stroked my hand until I fell asleep.

I then woke up in recovery, the surgery had gone well and I had no complications, I felt cold so they got me extra blankets and a cup of tea and they had already informed my partner who had rushed home to get some stuff for me, and he was back before I made it to the ward. I was then reunited with him, and he was allowed to spend the night, they provided an armchair which turned into a bed for him which made it much easier for him to spend the whole time with me.

The nurses came in for routine checks every couple hours and I had to get some injections following the surgery to prevent blood clots. They were extremely helpful, kind and patient.

I got to see the doctor, who explained in detail how my surgery went, the doctors were all also very friendly, kind and caring. We received lots of understanding and compassion. I was then discharged in the early evening, after having some painkillers and being monitored throughout the day.

I couldn’t be more thankful for the care I have received at the Royal Infirmary, from the staff at pregnancy support, to the nurses in my ward, the doctors, the staff in recovery and the surgeons, they have made this very difficult experience as painless as it could be.