"Upset and let down"

At 8 weeks pregnant I was taken to the early pregnancy unit at RGH after having some light bleeding. The doctor refused to scan me until they knew if my hormone levels were high enough so sent me home after taking bloods. During this visit, a woman also came in with a suspected ectopic. Their response to her was to go home until the next available scan 3 days away. This left me utterly disgusted.

An appointment was made for me to have a scan 4 days after this first visit where we were told a pregnancy sac could be seen but nothing else. I was then booked in for another scan 9 days later to see if anything had developed. Later on this same day I was rushed back down to EPU with severe cramping and clotting only to be left waiting for nearly 4 hours before being seen. (During this time, 4 people came in after me, were seen and sent home). After eventually being seen the doctor said everything still looked ok but ordered more bloods.

On calling the ward for my results, I was very bluntly told my hormone levels had dropped so to expect a miscarriage and to come for the scan as pre booked and only to call if the clotting resumed. No compassion or advice. I'd prepared myself for the worst feeling very alone with no support from the agency that should have been helping.

When going for my next scan, we were left waiting for an hour as there was no doctor available (me with a full bladder as requested). At this appointment I was scanned 4 times before a urine sample was taken which confirmed I had miscarried. I was told to wait to see a doctor and wait in a separate room so not to be with other pregnant women. After waiting what seemed to be an eternity, a nurse popped her head round just to confirm what we had already been told and chatted to us for a bit about when we could try again. This nurse was wonderful and left me feeling positive to try again but where was the doctor? Surely on a ward like this there should be a doctor at all times for when these things happen?

Needless to say I will not be going to the Gwent for my next pregnancy and will instead be going to Neville Hall. I won't make the same mistake twice.