"Great care and support from nursing staff"

I had started with a minor episode of bleeding and mild lower left abdominal pain 2 weeks ago and went to a&e. They sent me home and referred me to the early pregnancy unit to book a scan. On the first scan the sonographer was 70% sure he saw a heartbeat but because it was early wanted me to come for another scan a week later to be certain. A week later my second scan was due which showed everything was ok and heartbeat clearly visible (in between all this I was still get old blood present when wiping).

4 days after I suddenly developed severe lower left abdominal pain and pressure in my bottom. The only way I could deal with the pain was taking pain relief and rocking on all fours with pillows underneath me. The lady me and my partner spoke to on 111 was compassionate whilst I was struggling in pain. She advised an ambulance would be sent out but could take up-to 6 hours.After about 45 minutes the pain had settled enough that I could manage to get in a car and have my partner take me to a&e. The doctor couldn’t tell me why I was in severe pain but said I needed to get my pain under control and to have another scan.

The early pregnancy assessment team contacted me the morning after and said they could get me in for a scan the day after. We arrived at the hospital for my scan where we were met by a lovely staff nurse called Tracy. As soon as she saw me walking she could see I was in pain. She saw me straight away and went through my medical history etc before getting me straight down for my scan. The midwife sonographers were both lovely and really cared about me being in pain and said if at any point it was too uncomfortable to let them know. Also with the pain and bleeding going on asked if I wanted the screen turning away until they knew what was going on. I said it was ok and thanked them.

The scan showed that baby was still doing ok, at this point I was a bit teary because I was tired, sore and honestly was expecting the worse, but the sonographers were amazing, asking me if I was ok and if I wanted a tissue. I went to the toilet after having to have a full bladder for the scan and sat back in the waiting room. I was sat for about 5 seconds before staff nurse Tracy called me through. She congratulated us and was happy that things with baby were good and explained everything in the scan report, however she wasn’t so happy with me being in pain and wanted me to be reviewed by one of the doctors before I went home. She phoned them straight away and took me straight round to a room on the maternity ward. I honestly couldn’t thank her enough.

From the whole of my time there she couldn’t of done anything more for more. As a nurse myself we are taught what is expected of us in terms of compassion, respect, dignity, autonomy, the 6 C’s, NMC code etc. Since covid I have very much seen a decline in care from a lot of staff in healthcare, however Staff Nurse Tracy went above and beyond for me and it was nice to see someone who I genuinely felt cared for me  and wanted to help me, rather then rushing me out of the doors and getting rid of me. She was amazing and I couldn’t thank her enough for what she has done for me. Even in the little time of seeing me. I’m currently waiting to be seen by the doctor to find out why I’ve got the pain.