To be so angry at this pharmacist

[buddhasbelly]

From my other thread under my other username (which I now see no point in hiding - ahtilnextweek) I am pregnant with an unwanted pregnancy.

After my first hospital appointment I was told that things weren't large enough to begin a termination.

I then was told that the morning after pill I took "Levonelle" is far less effective (on an aggregate scale) than the new alternative offered aka you take the new pill £30 after possibility of sex it has a 95% chance of no pregnancy, you take levonelle, the odds very much decrease hour by hour (as instructed by the midwife scanning me). The midwife scanning me was astounded I was not given this info (the picture painted to me was dont pay the money it isn't needed). In reality it could have (I stress could have) prevented an unwanted pregnancy.

I am angry. I am frustrated and if I am told again that I have posted in the 'wrong' place then please take account of the situation. I do not feel there is a right or wrong wherever you post.

I am really uneasy about what she's telling you on termination. I didn't have one, but considered it, and that isn't what I was told at all. I was told that they needed to be able to establish gestation, and that the pregnancy was developing inside the uterus (it can be dangerous if ectopic, etc). I was not told it could be 'too early'. It sounds almost as if you were sent away in case it 'sorts itself out' (for want of a gentler term).

Can you get a second opinion from someone? Maybe even just ring BPAS or Marie Stopes and ask?

I went into the room the woman introduced herself and then introduced the student. I was in robotic mode so just said hello.

The midwife showed the student my ovaries etc on the scan and a cyst I have (this was after giving me the graphs). She sounded v knowledgeable hence my original anger at the pharmacist. Should I make a complaint about the midwife? I was given a survey to complete before going in at no point did the receptionist say it was optional so I thought the info was needed (asking about any previous terminations etc), I got to the last page and it said "thank you for completing this on behalf of xxx uni" that seemed cheeky in itself-those aren't compulsory see they?

They got you to fill in a survey for a uni without a full explanation and consent?

Where the hell was this clinic. Some of their procedures sound very worrying.

Is at an nhs sexual health clinic?

It sounds unprofessional to say the least. Anyone can sound knowledgeable, doesn't mean they are.

Go to your GP. I'd be reporting the clinic. It should be made clear what those surveys are for, and the student should have asked.

I called bpas they confirmed that terminations on the nhs have to be shown on scans. With regards to medication they advised me to phone 111 (where there is no suitable option to choose) this is ridiculous i cannot get any straight answers.

Have I missed something? Why are you seeing a midwife if you're only 5 weeks and plan to have a termination?

I agree the problem is with the midwife but think it would be better for you if you stop worrying about who was right/wrong and get better support re the termination. Gp?

Oh. It's because you aren't paying? They are making sure that there is definitely a viable pregnancy so as not to 'waste' the budget . I am so, so sorry for you

I was told to "fill in this paperwork" that was the receptionists exact words. I was the only person in the waiting room and whilst there some Asian people came in (they had come to the wrong department) and the receptionist kept saying to me you know those people it's just a waste of time with then. I decided it wasn't race related until the same thing happened with a Caucasian ethnicity 10 mins later.

If I ask for my gp I have a 2 week wait (although he has done house calls to me when my pnd was really bad) because he is so good hid schedule doesn't call for this type appt so I phoned and they said it would be 2 weeks for an appt. I cannot stay pregnant s minute longer than needed

That should say same treatment didn't happen with the Caucasian family

I recently became pregnant after taking Levonelle. As it as I decided to continue with the pregnancy. Ironically the pregnancy ended in miscarriage anyway.

My pharmacist explained that the £30 pill was more effective up to 72 hours than Levonelle but they were closely matched for the first 24 hours. It's after 24 hours that Levonelle becomes less effective than the £30 pill.

The pharmacist did explain to me that the only way to guarantee an unwanted pregnancy was to get a coil fitted within a week of unprotected sex.

The pharmacist explained that although Levonelle and the other pill are effective they do not provide a 100% guarantee against pregnancy, but that a coil could as it would prevent a pregnancy from staying in the uterus. If the pharmacist didn't provide you with this information it could possibly be a reason to lodge a complaint if you wanted to.

Also bpas/Marie stopes are very clear that they have to identify a pregnancy before they can terminate. It's usually via a scan and visible heartbeat at around six weeks. At that stage you will still be eligible for the abortion pill or the surgical termination.

for you. It is such a tough time being faced with an unwanted pregnancy and you have my sympathy. I hope the clinic you attended will provide you with a termination as soon as possible.

My pharmacist never mentioned a coil

That isn't quite true Polish. A coil will hopefully prevent a pregnancy staying in the uterus, but even that has a failure rate. My cousin was born holding his mother's .

And apologies for my bitter face, it is not how I am, I am just v confused

Did the midwife perform the ultrasound? That's unusual in itself. Midwives aren't trained to carry out scans.

I mean, maybe she'd also trained as a sonographer, but it's unusual.

The copper coil does have a failure rate, as do all forms of contraception, but I was told that they're by far the most effective as the MAP depends on when you ovulated etc. I've just spent time at a sexual health clinic for a work placement and this is what a contraception nurse told me. She said it's classed as the gold standard so should be offered to everyone in an emergency. Whether a pharmacist should say this I'm not sure, obviously it has to be a nurse or doctor who fits them - I would have thought they should inform you of this option so I think it's worth looking into complaining. At the sexual health clinic they will give you the MAP even if you decide to go for the coil, especially if you have to go back for another appointment to have it done as people chicken out.

I'm sorry you're confused, it's so frustrating when people tell you different things. I hope you get this sorted soon.

Libraries it may not be true - I am just going off what I have been told which, according to Pandora seems to be general advice by sexual health professionals so it's not like I've just made it up!

I was told by the pharmacist that she couldn't place a coil but if a pregnancy was really unwanted then she advised me to get a coil put in by the GP or at the GUM centre.

I'm sorry that you weren't given a full range of options by the pharmacist at the time.

I hope you are able to get the termination you need asap OP.

Why are you seeing a midwife at a sexual health clinic? They don't usually work in them.

Polish - I am sorry but you have misunderstood me. I was responding to your comment that a coil could provide a 100% guarantee. Which it can't. Nothing can. So i pointed that out.I said the same thing as Pandora (except she gave lots of extra and helpful detail). Yes , a coil is better (it will help even if there has already been fertilisation ) but it isn't a perfect solution either.

Oh OP I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. Is there any way you can get a telephone appointment urgently with your GP and explain everything? He or she may be able to help you more and not have you waiting longer.

I'd leave complaining for now, just until you've got through this stressful time then gather everything up and do so.

Youcan definitely get pregnant with a coil. My mum had one when she caught for me....