"Early pregnancy assessment units"

My recent experience of EPAU at Hairmyres.

I attended initially for assessment due to cramping light spotting at 8weeks. The midwives at day assessment weren't overly kind when we asked where did we go/check in. There's nowhere to tell anyone you're there.

There's 6 seats for day assessment and EPAU, very cramped and in front of the entrance which stinks of smoke due to patients smoking at the entrance.

When I was called through to EPAU, the midwife didn't introduce theirself. They only asked about dates and if I was sure. They proceeded to try abdominal ultrasound however needed to carry out an internal scan and didn't ask for a chaperone. This was so uncomfortable and my partner could tell. They placed a cushion under me as well as asking me to sit on my fists. Eventually my baby was seen and a heart beat and healthy pregnancy I was advised at 7.5weeks, 1 week behind my dates. They told me not to worry about spotting unless it lasted more than two weeks.

3 weeks later I had to attend again due to spotting. On both occasions I had to wait 4 days for scans, which at time of worry is a horrible wait. Again the same midwife and a HCSW this time. Abdominal was tried again therefore a second internal. This time stirrups were used because the midwife said the HCSW knew how to use them and they didn't. Again, painful and prolonged before they said they were concerned about this pregnancy. They got a colleague in who introduced theirself and confirmed our loss of pregnancy. Baby remained to measure 7.5weeks. We were utterly devastated. I was still in stirrups when they left the room to give us some privacy, my partner had to help me out of them.

When the midwife returned with the HCSW, they told me I had 3 options; expectant, medical or MVAC. They gave us a leaflet from NHS Lanarkshire and advised me to call if we had questions and ask for their advising of their name and showed some concern for us driving home. We were then escorted out in tears and distraught past everyone in the 6 chair waiting room for both EPAU & day assessment.

The following day my partner and I decided to read the options and d&c was listed but never mentioned therefore I didn't think it was an option.

I called to ask some questions; what were my infection risks if my miscarriage hadn't proceeded in 3 weeks since I'd been in before? I was told none. I advised the midwife I didn't think I could go through with expectant at home and was there an option for MVAC under sedation? They called Wishaw and they said no however they could offer a d&c however it could be 2 weeks before this could be organised. I then asked could I then go into the unit at Wishaw and have medical management as an inpatient; they'd call me back. This was an option and that someone from Wishaw would call and they did. They said if I could get to them that afternoon by 4.30pm I could be bleed and taken in on the Friday, however it was 4pm and we wouldn't have made it. We agreed the Monday to attend.

We attended Wishaw on the Monday again, nowhere to check in and the buzzer system doesn't always work. Unfortunately we heard every single word of another couple's heartache in the room beside the waiting area.

We were eventually taken through after I went to find someone to tell them I was there. This was when we met a midwife who couldn't put us more at ease. I explained that my options weren't very clear the previous week and felt dismissed by the midwife at Hairmyres EPAU. The midwife spent the time looking at scans and took us into a room and gave me a lot more information and statistics and leaflets from tommys and miscarriage association. The information about infection risk I had been given previously was wrong. They had gone and spoke to a doctor and arranged a D&C for the Thursday, gave me all the advice about bleeding and when to seek advice. We felt so much better despite our heartache.

When the Thursday came it was the same midwife and doctor who dealt with us. Everything was clear and concise. We had another scan which showed I didn't need the procedure after all and again worsening advice was given.

I cannot thank the midwife at Wishaw for making such a difficult time a little easier. They showed such care and compassion and should be recognised as an asset to the Wishaw EPAU. My partner and I both know that should we ever have to use the service again, we will never go to Hairmyres.