I was going for exploratory surgery at Saint Mary’s London. When I arrived for surgery a Dr came to see me and spent 25/30 minutes trying to persuade me to have a coil fitted. I refused and I repeatedly explained why I didn’t want it, but they refused to take no for an answer. They then said I either accepted a coil or they will cancel my surgery which involved polypectomy, cystoscopy, testing my fertility and to look at endometriosis. They told me that I should not be having children because I have uncontrolled diabetes and my partner doesn’t live with me. During the pressure tactics I had phoned my partner and I had been on my facebook group and expressed how I did not want the coil and how it was being forced on to me, the evidence is extremely clear.
I told them it wasn’t up to them and it was up to the professor if it was cancelled. I am a vulnerable adult and out of fear agreed to it temporarily until they had spoken to the professor, the agreement was just temporarily in my mind until the professor had an answer for me. Oddly they said I can cancel that agreement at any time before surgery (little odd considering I refused it from the start). I felt coerced to agree, and then they came back and said the professor still wanted it done. I immediately cancelled the agreement verbally, again I declined.
I then went for surgery under general anaesthetic and when I came around it had been fitted.
During the complaint procedure I found out they had lost my medical records so apparently they didn’t know anything as to why I was there on the day of surgery. The Trust took 2 years to respond to me after the previous manager refused to answer any more questions that I had, they also failed to give me any information on the coil fitting at the time.
No means No and what happened to me is barbaric. The Trusts excuse was that it was an endometriosis treatment (even though we had no idea I had endometriosis). They claim I wasn’t ready to conceive (allegedly my words), my belief was that some women can get pregnant once it’s burnt off, I was hoping then to try and get pregnant. Due to my age, I knew my chances of conceiving are slimmer and so is IVF.
I am so angry that my voice was not heard. I am now going through PTSD. I am telling my story to make it clear this is not ok and I am trying to fight for the rights of women and girls everywhere.
"Coil fitting against my will"
About: St Mary's Hospital (HQ) / General surgery St Mary's Hospital (HQ) General surgery W2 1NY St Mary's Hospital (HQ) / Gynaecology St Mary's Hospital (HQ) Gynaecology W2 1NY
Posted by Yorkie35 (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference
››