"Uncaring GP at Eye Health Service"

I recently called my GP with bad lower right abdominal pain in early pregnancy. During his call, I was told it was normal pregnancy pains, and to take two paracetomol, as there was nothing wrong. I explained that the pain was not like anything I had had in my previous pregnancies and that my aunt (a midwife) had told me to be seen because it could be ectopic, particularly because I fell pregnant on the mini pill. The GP told me not to teach medicine and that I could go that afternoon for my blood pressure to be taken, but there was nothing wrong.

I said I wanted to be seen by someone specialising in pregnancy, as I felt there was something wrong. The GP told said they couldn't refer me, as I was not having an ectopic pregnancy. So I went to A&E at Ipswich Hospital.

When I saw the doctor, who immediately told me they would need to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. At 5 weeks and 6 days, my pregnancy test was a faint positive. They took my bloods, which HCG came back as 158. My blood pressure was low. I was booked in for an emergency scan early the next morning, I was given co-codomol painkillers and told to go straight back if it got worse or anything changed.

The scan at the Ipswich Maternity Unit had to be done internally, as they could not see enough from the outside. The internal scan showed no sign of pregnancy in the womb, my right ovary was enlarged, where I was having the pain. They could not locate the pregnancy anywhere else, my pregnancy test was still positive, though faint.

I was told to go back for bloods 48 hours from the first lot, which would be the next day and they would see if the levels have doubled or not. Once I get the results, they will need to investigate further to see if my pregnancy is just too early to be seen due to late ovulation or if it is infact ectopic.

I am so angry at my GP for not taking my abdominal pain seriously. Any abdominal pain in pregnancy should be investigated. Had I just ignored the symptoms like I was told, I could rupture due to the pregnancy being ectopic and this can be life threatening.

I am so glad I ignored that GP and trusted my instinct. I have reported the GP's actions to the board.

I am so pleased I went to A&E, they were very thorough and caring and referred me to be investigated as soon as possible. The service at both A&E & the Peggy Cole Unit at Ipswich Maternity Unit have been wonderful so far. Quick, efficient and thorough. I just need to wait on my results to find out what is happening.