Ectopic - Am I right to be a bit annoyed with the hospital

[liltshake]

Hi - might be a long one sorry!

First of all - I don’t plan to do anything about this/make a complaint/even talk to anyone I just wanted to get it off my chest as this situation has taken a toll on me physically and mentally for over 3 weeks now

I was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, in the right tube on 24th July. First of all doctors said as my hcg levels were low, I should wait it out and see it resolves itself. Things were going well until last Friday when my levels shot up and I was told to decide on either surgery or methotrexate shot.

After lots of thinking I decided to book in the surgery, it was booked in for this Tuesday 13th august. I came at 7am, was in my gown, had signed everything and spoken to anaesthetist. Ready to go down. Last minute a consultant came and literally said why are you even having surgery… you don’t need it you’re not in immediate threat of rupture so go for the methotrexate shot. After speaking to another consultant after, I agreed to the methotrexate shot and was given it about 5pm that day. I felt really like they didn’t want to give me the surgery, maybe they were too busy, and I was the least urgent? They kept saying they could tell how nervous I was about surgery, I was actually fine.

The next day I rang them as I was in a lot of pain. Spoke to same consultant who told me you’re fine unless you have shoulder tip pain or swollen stomach, it’s just effects of the shot. Next morning I was in really bad pain, so took myself to the EPU. After being quickly scanned they confirmed it had ruptured, and I needed emergency surgery. This was really stressful for me, I had to arrange last min overnight childcare for my son as my partner is away for work. I was also just so scared knowing it had ruptured.

After the surgery, they told me they removed a large blood clot so they think I’ve been bleeding for a while. They said there was 150mls of blood in my stomach, not sure if that is a lot in terms of internal bleeding. They keep saying well done for coming in, it’s so good you came when you did.

I just don’t see why they couldn’t do the surgery as planned on Tuesday? I was told it was my choice, I signed the papers, then the choice was actually down to them. Then I ruptured, I know they can’t predict that, but I don’t think it needed to happen. One nurse even discussed it with me without me mentioning it, because she knew the situation and knew I would be upset.

I just want to know if it’s normal and I’m being sensitive! Thanks for reading

I think you do need to make a formal complaint. The next person this happens too may not be so lucky.

Complain, complain, complain. Do it for yourself and do it for the next person they treat.

A complaint might lead to feedback being given to the surgeon who made the call.

I expect it's different medical professionals thinking that different procedures are better etc, clearly the methotrexate was considered a viable and safe option hence it was offered to you, it would have a level of potential risk as most things do, and in your case it went badly. The surgeon who made the call may feel like in normal circs surgery is higher risk or just unnecessarily invasive, when the odds are in favour of the shot.

I'm so sorry you've been through this, it must have been horrific for you.

Please make a formal complaint - I know it is a pita, but a ruptured ectopic can be fatal - you have been lucky (well - all things are relative) but someone else might not be.

Thanks everyone. I wasn’t sure if making a complaint would do anything but I guess you’re right, it may help someone in the future. I was lucky when it ruptured I was still able to get a cab to the hospital and walk - it could have been awful if I’d collapsed at home with my 2 year old.

@YesThatsATurdOnTheRug yes that’s what I thought, which is why I felt maybe I was just being sensitive. Each doctor seemed to have varying opinions about the different treatments, some I’ve spoken to over the 3 weeks were pretty much against methotrexate, but the two who were there on that morning obviously thought it was the best option with hcg levels of less than 500. I did ask if they’d scan me again on that Tuesday but the consultant said there’s no need it won’t show us anything? But I think it might have shown that I was already bleeding/had fluid there as I suspect there already was

Yes it was a shame they didn't scan you and see what was actually going on. It's definitely worth relaying to the hospital what happened to you, it might make the dr think twice next time. I don't think it's being sensitive at all, you had a dangerous and frightening experience, even if the dr wasn't in the wrong and followed an acceptable procedure then can definitely still learn from it.

I hope you are feeling a bit better and have someone to talk to about your feelings around this, you've had a traumatic time.

I’m so sorry for your loss OP.

They missed my ectopic rupture too. I was told I’d be in more pain. I just have a high pain threshold. I had all the symptoms they just dismissed them. Luckily I declined the shot and by the next day it was clear I needed emergency surgery. I’m convinced that had I had the shot (and I’m confident it had already ruptured at this point) I would have been in a life threatening condition before they listened.