"Early Pregnancy and Gynaecology Unit"

Unfortunately I have had to visit this unit four times due to miscarriages in the last 2 years. Having a miscarriage is a very upsetting time when you are very vulnerable and so good or bad care makes an enormous difference. The EPAGU is in my experience a place where patients are given exceptional care and the patients dignity is all important. I should think I have met virtually all the staff at this unit by now (many know me by name!) and they are without question an amazing group of women who do their best day in day out for patients who are often extremely upset. I have had all manner of treatment options there including being cared for during a 'natural' miscarriage, having medical management to bring about a miscarriage and being booked to come in for an ERPC surgery to deal with a missed miscarriage. (Incidentally the day surgery unit is just not in the same league as the EPAGU in terms of caring for distressed women and could learn a lot from them). I have had an unfortunate history with miscarriage and have experience of other EPU's prior to being referred to St Thomas' and I have to say that the level of care and understanding Thomas have is far above anything I have experienced at the two hospitals I previously attended. I have also been referred from the unit for recurrent miscarriage testing. Again this was done with dignity and quiet competence after my second miscarriage there, the staff just knew the procedure and got on with it for me. This is in direct contrast to some of my friends in my miscarriage support group who are at other hospitals and who have basically had to plead to be referred for any tests which has added to their distress. I think possibly the unit does not get enough credit for the work it does because no-one really wants to think back to having a miscarriage, or re-visit the place afterwards the way you would if you were in hospital for a less distressing reason like a birth. I have no idea at this point if I am ever going to end up with a successful pregnancy, and that is a horrid position to be in, but the EPAGU have cared for me so well and made a pretty grim situation much easier to cope with through their care. I am very grateful for their help.