"I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional care I received"

Earlier in the year I was admitted to hospital due to a missed miscarriage. This was my first-ever hospital admission aside from childbirth, and while the situation was devastating, the care, compassion, and kindness I received from the staff made an immense difference. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved and share my story to highlight the exceptional level of care provided.

It started when I contacted the Early Pregnancy Clinic with some minor concerns. They responded promptly, giving me an appointment the next day. During my initial appointment, I was scanned by Suzi, the specialist nurse. Suzi broke the difficult news that my pregnancy was not viable, as I should have been nine weeks pregnant but was only measuring at five weeks with no development. Despite the devastating news, Suzi’s kindness, professionalism, and compassion made a world of difference. She thoroughly explained everything, answered all my questions, and made sure I felt supported every step of the way.

A follow-up scan six days later showed no progress, and I chose to proceed with medical management using tablets. Suzi arranged my admission to Ward 4E that day, ensuring the process could begin quickly. My first nurse on the ward was Caitlin, whose bubbly and warm personality immediately put me at ease, even though I was terrified of getting a cannula. She was patient, understanding, and reassured me throughout.

During my stay on Ward 4E, every nurse I encountered demonstrated exceptional care. They encouraged me to call for assistance whenever I needed it and handled the situation with remarkable compassion, even cleaning up after heavy bleeding without hesitation or judgment.

The following morning, Suzi checked in on me again, going above and beyond by arranging an early scan to expedite my treatment. Unfortunately, the miscarriage had not fully progressed, and I required a second dose of tablets. Despite this, the scan showed retained tissue, requiring further intervention.

This is when I met Ciara, a consultant whose professionalism and genuine care stood out. She explained the next steps, including the option of a Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) procedure. Ciara and Rachel, who performed the procedure, were incredibly supportive, ensuring I felt informed and comfortable. Jen, the nurse assistant, was also fantastic, using humour and kindness to distract me during a difficult time.

Although the procedure was carried out with great care, not all the tissue could be removed. Ciara continued to monitor me closely, showing empathy and concern during my most emotional moments. She reassured me, explained the situation thoroughly, and was honest about the possibility of needing further surgery.

After a confusing period of conflicting messages about whether surgery was necessary, Suzi and Rachel advocated for me, recommending surgery based on my scans and history. Their advocacy and care reassured me, even when others were less decisive. Eventually, I underwent surgery, with Ciara performing the procedure. She took the time to scan me beforehand, ensuring she had all the necessary information to perform the correct surgery. Post-surgery, both Ciara and Suzi followed up with me, ensuring I understood the outcome and next steps.

I was then informed my diagnosis was of a molar pregnancy which meant my care had to be transferred to a specialist centre in London within Charing Cross hospital. This transition was made easy and I was guided through the process very well. 

Throughout this journey, I felt supported, respected, and genuinely cared for by everyone involved. The situation was physically and emotionally draining, but the compassion shown by the team made it bearable.

Acknowledgements

1.Suzi – Your care from start to finish was exceptional. From delivering difficult news with compassion to going above and beyond to arrange early scans and follow-up care, you ensured I always felt supported and informed.

2.Ciara – Your kindness, thorough explanations, and genuine concern were invaluable. You made me feel like more than just a patient and handled my care with unparalleled professionalism.

3.Caitlin – Your bubbly personality and understanding helped me through a scary and emotional time. Thank you for your patience and kindness, especially with the cannula!

4.Rachel – Your professionalism and calm demeanour during the MVA procedure reassured me completely. Thank you for your excellent care.

5.Jen – Your sense of humour and kindness during the procedure helped distract me and made a difficult moment easier to handle.

6.Rani, Lucy, Amberly, and Lincy from Ward 4E – Your consistent care and compassion during my stay meant so much to me. Thank you for treating me with such dignity and kindness.

7.To the two ladies in the EPU – I’m sorry I didn’t catch your names, but your kindness and professionalism did not go unnoticed. Thank you for your care.

8. Marian - Thank you for your kindness and care during my scans. You were so helpful and compassionate every time, and I truly appreciate the warmth and professionalism you brought to each appointment.  

9. To each and every person who crossed my path when I was there on multiple visits, you are all exceptional and should be proud of the difference you make. 

I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional care I received. Despite the challenges and emotional toll of this experience, the compassion, kindness, and professionalism of the staff at the Early Pregnancy Clinic and Ward 4E left a lasting impact. I want to thank everyone involved for making an incredibly difficult time a little easier. Anyone fortunate enough to be cared for by this team is truly in good hands.