Awful 1st appointment at recurrent miscarriage clinic.

[mrsmillsfanclub]

Just wondered if anyone had had a similiar experience. Im in my late 30's. Have a teenage dc from a previous relationship and have had 3 mmcs in the last few years, all at the 6-9 weeks stage.

I waited ages to see a consultant on the NHS,who came as highly reccomended. When we got to the hospital we didn't actually see the consultant herself, but one of her team who was obviously newly qualified and to be honest, clueless. Gp had sent a letter to say my progesterone levels were very very low, but this was completely dismissed. He then went into another room (where we could hear everything he was saying to the consultant we thought we might see). She palmed him off with saying 'just tell her to cut out carbohydrates and take aspirin next time she gets pregnant'. Dh and I were both so disgusted with the attitude of the staff that we left without even making a follow up appointment. Is this normal procedure?? I couldn't even contemplate trying for another baby without at least some plan of action this time, emotionally and physically it is just too painful. We were not offered a scan, just a repeat of blood tests that I have already had twice in the last 3 months.

D

That is absolutely not acceptable.

For a start, if you have waited and are reffered to a specific consultant, if there is a chance you will not see them it should always state on your letter
"you will see Mr X or a member of his team"
Along those lines. You are not a guinea pig for newly qualifieds.

Im sorry for your loss, Ive not had a miscarriage myself so afraid cannot give you any medical advice there, although I cant think what cutting out carbs will do for you.
I would complain and you could insist on seeing the consultant you wished to see, although if they were that dismissive maybe not.

That is appalling. You should have seen the consultant and then left there feeling confident with a plan of action. You should have bloods taken to check for various things (blood clotting issues, genetic problems, thyroid issues and hormone levels), sperm analysis for dh, scan to check your ovaries, uterus and lining. If your progesterone levels are very low you should at least have been offered progesterone pessaries to help sustain a viable pregnancy.

You should make a complaint, and keep making it until you get seen by a consultant who takes you seriously and that you feel confident with.

I hope that you are able to sort something out.

After three recurrent mcs they should have done blood tests for thrombophilia, thyroid, chromosome issues etc. I would see you gp straight away and push for these tests as a minimum.

what is this baloney cutting edge science about cutting out carbs? i have never heard anything about carb intake having any link to recurrent miscarriage, unless you are very overweight, in which case perhaps what the consultant meant to say was 'lose some weight; and cutting out carbs is one way of doing it.'
agree with other posters that you should complain formally about this treatment. write an official letter to whoever manages the clinic or the hospital itself, and send a copy to your GP. you say you've already had various blood tests - did they include things like Factor V Leiden; MTHRFR; lupus anticoagulant?? not all of these are routinely offered on the NHS...
When you say you're in your late 30s, does that mean 38, 39ish? most likely the miscarriages are related to poor egg quality...if you have the money there are cutting edge IVF procedures in which the quality of the egg is assessed before implantation and only the best eggs are used...
it's an awful thing to go through and i will never forget how low i felt after my third miscarriage (and the one that followed.) Please don't lose hope - there are so many people who go on to have a successful pregnancy despite several losses in a row.

please complain about this.

Nobody should be treated this way.

go back to the gp and ask for another referal. next time take a list of the tests you should be having. DO NOT LEAVE UNTIL THEY DO THEM.

I had to do this after a supposed recurrent miscarriage specialist told me the tests would be a waste of time.

I'm so angry for you op, but as sotough says many women go through rmc and come out the other side. Despite crappy doctors!.

I had 4 mc in 2 years and was told i had virtually no chance of having a baby. My DD2 is 13weeks, Don't give up hope!

Thank you all for your replies. Glad it is not just me and dh that thought this was a crap appointment.
Sotough-I also thought the advice about cutting out carbs was lame, considering Im a size 10/12 I don't think me dieting really is an issue in order to sustain a pregnancy.
We returned to my gp today and told her that there was no way we were happy with the consultant's attitude and that we wanted a referall to a different one. Don't think the gp quite believed me when I said that they didn't ask any questions about mine or dh medical history and no questions about my mmcs either.
So now we have been refered to another hospital with another consultant, fingers crossed that we have a better experience next time.
Thank you all again for your kind words. x

Can u afford to see Lesley reagan or raj rai in London?
You will not get treated like that by them and they will do every test under the sun for you?
You can see them on nhs, but waiting list may be long although I believe their team have worked very hard to get it down recently.
Her PA's number is 020 7886 1050

Thanks Mumsecret. I will bear that in mind. I have heard lots of positives about the team at St Marys and thank you for the number. I am going to the hospital where my sister works next time (she is in a different dept) but she has told me she will tell the nurses I must see the consultant rather than his team & that I shouldn't just be fobbed off. Isn't it awful to have to rely on family or friends to make sure your appointment is taken seriously? It should be something that happens for everyone.