"Never again."

What I liked

The nursing staff were friendly, helpful and professional.

What could be improved

The care I recieved after my miscarriages. I had three miscarriages, all early. The first time, I saw my GP after heavy bleeding and intense pain. My doctor referred me but it still took a day for the scan to come through. I could not be seen any sooner. I was advised not to take any painkillers as it was not certain to be a miscarriage. I was afraid and feeling very much alone.

In the maternity unit, the nursing staff were as nice as they could be, but I was in the same department as all the other happy mums to be, clutching scan pictures. THe pain and bleeding had intensified overnight, so I was fairly sure that I would not be so lucky. The scan confirmed the miscarriage, and I was told to go home and take paracetomol and ibuprofen, and that it would be like a heavy period. It was already much worse than period pains. I was given the number of the ward to ring should things get worse. I went home, in too much pain to sleep or rest. I rang the next day as the pain had got much worse, and I was hoping for some better painkillers. However they very discouraging said that unless I couldn't cope, I should stay at home and try to rest. The pain and bleeding lasted for over a week.

After my second miscarriage (which was earlier, and muchless painful) I was told that I should wait before trying for a third by the doctor. When I disagreed, as I'd already had two previous doctors saying that there was no problem trying as soon as possible, she said in no uncertain terms that if I miscarried again, it would be my own fault.

As more recent advice has come out nationally about this, perhaps she should have checked her facts. I did however wait three months before trying a third time, and I miscarried again. It was only after the third miscarriage that they would deign to investigate the reasons behind them.

Anything else?

I felt alone and unsupported. I was treated as a number. The lady doctor who gave me the bad advice above made me wait for over 30 mins while she completed a personal phone call, within my hearing. It was after 7pm, and I was very tired and in pain and wanted to go home.

I have supported the NHS for many years, having lived abroad in the US and in Germany, I have seen the alternatives, which are not always pretty. However I felt betrayed by my treatment at this department, and would not recommend it .