"My ectopic pregnancy surgery"

In January 2020 I started with sharp stabbing pains in the tip of my shoulder. I called my mum in such panic because I had no idea what was happening. I was at university as well studying to be a nurse at Sheffield.  Luckily my mum knew the symptoms of this as she has had two. 

In the ambulance, the staff were amazing and couldn't fault anything they did. I got to Northern General with this severe pain and was unable to walk. The paramedics helped me to the waiting area. It took them 1.5 hours just to assess me and take my blood pressure. The waiting area was full of heavily intoxicated people. Luckily I was with my boyfriend, but I can only imagine how scary it is to be on your own. 

I got examined and moved to the emergency ward. This is where it went downhill! I was in agonizing pain and asked for pain relief four times by four types of medical professionals. I was only brought paracetamol which did absolutely nothing. I couldn't move or breathe it hurt that much.

I waited there for 4 hours before my mum and dad arrived. My mother was appalled by the care I had received. People were ignoring me, bear in mind it is possible to die from an ectopic pregnancy. My mum walked over to the nurse's station and demanded someone see me. The surgeon came over and stated that no one had informed them that it was potentially an ectopic pregnancy. For one this scared me because how could I trust someone who didn't even know I was here, and secondly it's the fact it took them 4 hours to even give me pain relief, which is outrageous. Also, the apparent lack of communication within the A&E departments is not okay. If I could improve one thing is the communication between staff members and their patients. 

I finally got the pain relief that I needed. I then got moved to royal Hallamshire and this is where I found out I was 8 weeks pregnant and that it was very close to rupturing. The staff treats me with compassion and care throughout until I had the day of my operation. The Nursing staff didn't have any faults however, my only complaint is about the anaesthetist that saw me five minutes before I was due to go under. 

He was polite at first and introduced himself (but due to being medication I couldn't remember the name). This staff member then proceeded to say -do you not know what a condom is-. 

I was absolutely mortified that a qualified member of medical staff had just said that to me. What annoyed me the most is the fact he didn't think I could have been trying for this or I could have been abused or raped. I thought it was disgusting and I said to him I was on the coil, whilst crying my heart out. I was on my own in this waiting area just hoping I would be safe but clearly, I wasn't. 

I was crying that much the nurse looking after me, came running over asking if everything was okay. From that point forward I was in hysterics and shocked at the fact this had been allowed to continue.

The nurse calmed me down before going into the room. I got into the room to find the anesthetist from earlier coming to apologize. Of all places, he comes when I am about to go under! Mortified as anyone would be, I insisted that I did not want to be put under by this person.

Luckily another anesthetist was there to put me under. 

My whole experience was disgusting. I didn't feel respected or really cared for by the doctors. The fact that the anesthetist was so disrespectful and really did make me feel awful. I'm surprised that this has been allowed to go on. I'm still getting therapy to this date about what has happened because I felt so horrible about myself.