"I had IVF treatment at Derriford ..."

What I liked

I had IVF treatment at Derriford the nursing staff and consultants in the assisted conception unit couldn't of been nicer to me and my partner.

What could be improved

After my treatment I started to feel unwell and called NHS Direct i was experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, the operator suggested that I go straight to see the on doc at the hospital. She checked me over, suggested that I had pulled a muscle, despite me saying that I hadn't done anything in order to get such an injury; she sent me home. By the next morning I was in a lot of pain and could hardly breath, so I went to my G.P. He diagnosed a collasped lung and offered to call an ambulance. At the hospital, my chest was drained and I was given a pregnacy test, which was positive.

My breathing was still compromised, so I was transferred to a respiratory ward. It was a very busy ward and I didn't like it at all. I had to have a chest drain put in, because the fluid was building up again in my lung. I was asked if a trainee doctor could drain it, while being over seen. I agreed, but wish that i never. She forgot to turn off the tap on the chest drain, which was now full with fluid drained from my lung. A lot of fluid spilt on the floor and I was fighting for breath. My partner attached the oxygen mask to the supply and gave it to me, while the doctor eventually stopped the fluid draining. This was very distressing and shouldn't of been done so quickly.

The chest drain had to stay in, whilst they tried to find the reason for the fluid. It was very painful and I was written up for diamorph after complaining for several hours. A nurse was asked to get me some, but as they were "busy" she didn't. I couldn't move because the pain was severe by now, another patient used her buzzer to call the nurse back. The nurse was very abrupt and said that I shouldn't of bothered another patient. I asked to make a complaint, whilst on this ward. A sister did come to speak with me, but I was not happy with the outcome. I believe that I should of been given a copy of the complaints procedure, I had asked for this several times.

Anything else?

My partner informed the IVF consultant that I was poorly, because my condition was still undiagnosed. The consultant came to the ward immediately and told me that I had Hyper stimulation syndrome, which can be a rare complication of IVF. He gave the nursing staff instruction to monitor my fluids closely.He also told them to make sure that i was given a high protein diet. This was not done.

He transferred me to the maternity ward and began my treatment. The staff on this ward were great, nothing was too much trouble. The ward had a totally different feel about it. With the consultants close supervision and excellent nursing staff on this ward I quickly recovered and was discharged a week later. I am now 6 months in to my pregnancy and hoping that I will be as equally as pleased with the care i recieve when my baby comes, but because of the treatment that I initally had on the respiratory ward I am now very apprehensive.