NHS scans have seriously failed me.

[Cakeandable]

NC'd as anyone who reads this will know exactly who I am, but I need help. The things that have happened to me are not okay and I need answers as to why it happened and feel wronged.

So, to start off. I have had 4 pregnancies but only 1 baby as my first 3 pregnancies all ended in miscarriage. This is key.

In April 2017 I found out I was pregnant for the third time. Since I'd MC'd previously I knew this wouldn't 100% mean a baby and I was booked in for an early scan at 8 weeks. At 6 weeks I started bleeding again and went to the EPU at my local hospital. A doctor did a scan after I passed something and just said "it's empty". I was sent home with painkillers and that was that. 4 weeks later I collapsed and was very ill, and my Fallopian tube had burst. It turns out there were two baby's in there and I lost both separately. After talking to my GP when I had a post surgery check (I needed laparoscopy to remove my burst tube), they informed me that 1 - my Fallopian tube should have been visible on the scan as it had a baby in it, and that 2 - I easily could have died (I lost a lot of blood). So that's the first mistake that has been made on a scan for me and the rudeness of the doctor who scanned me was very upsetting and she was clearly rushed.

My 4th pregnancy was different. Due to the previous ectopic pregnancy, I was booked in for a scan at 6 weeks and I got there with no pain or bleeding and nausea in full swing. At the scan, in which I was made to put my legs up on a chair, in front of a lot of people and push my bum up with my legs whilst the doctor dug the wand around way too far up my vagina, it was agony. He then took measurements and told me there was no fetal pole. I asked what the chance was of my pregnancy continuing and he told me absolutely zero. The midwife said 1% but I think that was only to be nice. As I'd had so much shit with pregnancies previously I was offered medical management of the MC that day and booked in for a scan a week and a half later to see if 'product' remained in my tubes. I declined medical management and went home completely drained of anything.

The next scan is due and I've still not had any bleeding or anything but I decided to ask for medical management that day. Went into the scan, and I saw instantly that the little lump looked bigger and the sonographer (I finally got to see an actual sonographer) said there was a heart beat and that baby looked perfect. A lot of time later I'm now holding my sleepy 3 month old and all is well with him.

But, surely this isn't okay at all? What can I do about it? What would you do?

I tried emailing PALS but was told it could take ages to get anywhere and they seem to have ignored this completely. So any idea what I can do next?

Thank you if you got to the end!

*next scan was due

Sorry, typing to fast!

I'm not sure what your ultimate aim is OP? Are you after an apology from the hospital for your initial treatment or compensation? Since you said you're now holding your DS sounds like the rest of your pregnancy went fine so I don't think you have grounds to sue them for anything??

Scans in early pregnancy are notoriously difficult - sounds like maybe your dates were a few days out which is why nothing could be seen on your scan at 6 weeks? That could probably have been explained better to you? But given your previous ectopic experience clearly they were just being over cautious by recommending medical management straight away? Your first heterotropic ectopic is super rare even for an ectopic to experience and unless your hcg levels reach a certain number it's almost Impossible to see anything on scans which is perhaps why they missed one? (I had an ectopic which ruptured at 7 weeks and it took several scans to be able to eventually find it)

X

wand around way too far up my vagina, it was agony. He then took measurements and told me there was no fetal pole. I asked what the chance was of my pregnancy continuing and he told me absolutely zero. The midwife said 1% but I think that was only to be nice. As I'd had so much shit with pregnancies previously I was offered medical management of the MC that day and booked in for a scan a week and a half later to see if 'product' remained in my tubes

This shouldn't happen. Best practice is supposed to be a second scan by a different person to confirm before any plan is put into place.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I would speak to PALs as obviously lessons need to be learned

I have been going through a complaint with the NHS following the near death of my newborn due to midwife incompetence. You can write a letter of complaint detailing exactly what has happened, how you felt and any lasting effects (e.g. emotional). Send it to pals and be very clear that it's a complaint letter. They then usually have 30 days to respond. This may answer any questions that you have or simply allow you to say your piece. I'm sorry you've experienced this but I'm so glad to hear that you now have your beautiful baby.

Scans in early pregnancy are notoriously difficult - sounds like maybe your dates were a few days out which is why nothing could be seen on your scan at 6 weeks

Then don’t say that there is zero chance of this pregnancy resulting in a baby if it is so difficult to read.
Sounds like the dr was showing off in front of students.

I would consider a negligence claim for the 3rd pregnancy where you nearly died - you had actual injury here and might have a case.

The last scan I would write a strongly worded complaint and include a picture of your baby that he nearly got you to inadvertently terminate.

Im so sorry for your losses. I wonder whether a gp referral to speak to someone regarding your grief would be useful?
I think whenever we experience loss it's natural to search for something, or someone to blame.
I wonder if taking on the NHS would be as useful to you as dealing with your losses,as much as that's possible?
Im speaking as someone that has also had painful internal scans and examinations, also scans that were incorrect. Both were unavoidable in my case, just that sometimes things hurt and sometimes scans are wrong.

Hmmm I think the main thing that stands out to me is that your trust is broken and that you have no faith in them. Do you plan to try for more children? If so I think I would be writing to pals to complain and ask for some kind of debrief to discuss steps that would be place should you fall pregnant again that would outline that medical staff should be mindful of your history.

Sorry you've been through this. Congratulations on your baby.

Are you in England op? If so...
Complaining to NHS England
By post to:
NHS England. PO Box 16738. Redditch. B97 9PT.
By email to: [email protected].
By telephone: 0300 311 22 33.
Our opening hours are: 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, except Wednesdays when we open at the later time of 9.30am. We are closed on bank holidays.

You need to complain about both instances. These were serious mistakes and lessons need to be learned - from a teaching and professional improvement perspective. I would be seeking a meeting with most senior management possible to discuss your history and the issues / problems you've had.

FWIW I've had a number of early miscarriages and because of potential issues about dates and then because only one person conducted the scan that showed my baby's heart wasn't working any more I had to have follow up scans before any medical or surgical management was considered.