"I left that appointment feeling really small."

I was 38+6 days pregnant and I got in contact with NHS 24 with symptoms of a UTI.  

The call handler I spoke to was lovely and got me an appointment at G-Med later that day.

I was seen by a Dr who I felt was very patronising during the appointment. 

I explained my symptoms and gave them my sample of urine.  They said they could tell straight away that I didn't have a UTI because my urine was not cloudy.  But agreed to test it anyway.  They did this without wearing gloves.  The dipstick was negative.  I explained that I had 4 previous UTIs this pregnancy and I had the same symptoms as before.  Also with my last UTI my midwife sent off a MSSU based on my symptoms despite the dipstick being negative and it came back positive for a UTI.  They told me that the labs won't process a sample if the dipstick is negative.  They poured the sample down the sink, rinsed the pot under the tap and gave it back to me for next time.  They then told me in a derogatory manner that I'm 39 weeks pregnant so I'm going to have a sore back and pelvic discomfort/pressure.

They examined me further, checking my observations and examined my abdomen, which was fine.  After this they told me that if my back/pelvic pain got worse then I was to use my common sense and get in contact with the Maternity Hospital.  I left that appointment feeling really small.  I have never been spoken to like that before by anyone working for the NHS and as an NHS Staff Nurse would never dream of treating a patient that way.

The following Thursday I had an appointment with my midwife.  Still having the same symptoms I explained all of above to her and she sent off an MSSU.

The GP surgery left me a message the following Wednesday evening.  I called back next day and was told that the MSSU came back positive for a UTI.  By this day however I was feeling really unwell.  I was lethargic, vomiting and still had the back/pelvic pain.  Fortunately my midwife was coming for a home visit that day to do a sweep.  She checked my observations and contacted the on call registrar at the Maternity Hospital where I was admitted with Urosepsis.

I was 40+5 weeks pregnant at this point and was extremely unwell that evening.  I was spiking temperatures of 40 degrees. And my daughter heart rate was going up to 210 beats per minute.  I was moved through to recovery for close observation and there was talk about delivering my daughter by C-section under General anaesthetic.   Fortunately I responded to treatment and this didn't happen, however I did have to be induced (I will do a separate feedback form for the amazing staff at the Maternity Hospital).

I feel that if the Dr had listened and sent off an MSSU, my UTI would have been diagnosed and treated sooner and not put myself and daughter at risk.