"Early Pregnancy Unit"

I attended the EPU last week due to cramping and bleeding.

My baby was conceived after 3 rounds of IVF and years and years of infertility.

I first rang up explaining my cramps and bleeding. I was extremely anxious and stressed. I was told that I could have a blood test to see if anything would be visible on a scan. I had the blood test and returned the next day for a scan. It was very early and there wasn’t much to see but I left that day feeling reassured that everything was ok and in the right place.

That evening I had a massive bleed. I was terrified. Didn’t sleep at all. I contacted again to explain that I’d had another bleed. That’s what they’re there for isn’t it? But was quite rudely told that there’s nothing they could do. It would be too early to know whether I was having a miscarriage.

I am at university completing my nursing degree, I have done a lot of research around I’ve etc and I know that a repeat blood test at that point would have told us a lot. But I was dismissed.

Again that night I had another bleed. I couldn’t face the thought of waiting all weekend, not sleeping or eating and stressed out. I contacted EPU again on Friday and before I could even explain the nurse said “we can’t scan you again” I didn’t want a scan! This made me feel that the staff thought I was lying to have scans!

I felt like I was a burden and irritating to them. Was repeatedly told to wait until my appointment with the fertility clinic even though it’s upto EPU to look after me too at this point!!

I think staff need to realise the absolute heartbreak, stress and desperation incurred from ivf. A little bit of compassion wouldn’t go amiss. That might be a sac and a fetal pole with not much else to them but to me it’s my world. I have since been bleeding but will be paying for a private scan. I wouldn’t return to Leigh EPU