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"Miscarriage experience"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Gynaecology

(as a service user),

I found the EPC to be a crucial resource for me on my first journey in pregnancy. Unfortunately I had a miscarriage, I started bleeding around 6 weeks. On my initial appointment with the EPC I was so worried and given a pamphlet, which explained 3 types of miscarriage management. 

I was scared, upset and very anxious. I felt the nurses and consultants could've been more sympathetic and I felt that they were pushing me to do medical management or surgery. 

After 2 weeks of conventional management, nothing was happening so I decided to do medical management, which was not an easy process. I went through it twice and after having sporadic heavy bleeds, I was starting to think it was unsuccessful and ultimately, if I didn't get a negative pregnancy test on my next appointment, I would have had to go through with the surgery anyway. 

I wasted so much energy in the 2 months I had to experience this. My hormones were all over the place which was making me tired and depressed.

I feel that there should be more factual information and statistics on this topic. All I was being told was that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in a miscarriage. It's extremely frustrating that nothing can be done until you are at least 6 and half weeks pregnant. 

EPC is a vital resource for women, especially for their mental & emotional health. I could not imagine having to go through this without any medical scans or consultations or blood checks. 
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Responses

Response from Leanne Hughes, Lead Nurse for Gynaecology Services WHSCT, Women and Children Service Altnagelvin, Western Health & Social Care Trust 5 months ago
Leanne Hughes
Lead Nurse for Gynaecology Services WHSCT, Women and Children Service Altnagelvin,
Western Health & Social Care Trust

Service Manager for Gynaecology

Submitted on 08/12/2023 at 18:08
Published on Care Opinion at 18:08


I want to extend my thanks for reaching out to provide feedback regarding your recent experience of miscarriage and offer you my sincere condolences on the loss of your pregnancy. The nurses and doctors are disappointed to hear you felt they could have been more sympathetic, as the staff within the EPAU pride themselves on supporting woman in times of early pregnancy loss.

Following discussion with a healthcare professional and based on clinical findings, staff endeavour to provide all woman with the relevant verbal and written information about available management of miscarriage choices, so that woman can make an informed choice. They appreciate and acknowledge that often, making these choices can be extremely difficult and the process itself can be very emotional. The aim of staff in EPAU is to support during this process and to support them in the journey they undertake.

We are sorry to hear that the information you received did not meet your expectations. The EPAU has found to be a crucial resource of both physical and emotional support for a lot of woman in similar circumstances and we use opportunities such as this to reflect on how best to improve things.

Again I would like to thank you for reaching out,

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