Upset at my experience of NHS gynaecology.

[throawayname]

I have had three miscarriages. No kids. The whole thing was so upsetting we decided to not try again.

Prior to and during my second miscarriage I had very bad ovary pain on one side. Day of scan started miscarrying but still had scan. I mentioned the ovarian pain so the sonographer scanned my ovaries and said can’t see anything just the corpus luteum.

Because of that and other things that happened physically during that second miscarriage I had a feeling something was just not right with me. I expressed my concerns and gave all the physical details to my GP and was told many women go on to have a healthy baby try not to worry. And I could get referred to recurrent mc clinic after 3.

Got to 8 weeks - was quite relieved. Then miscarried. Physically it was tough again won’t go into lots of detail don’t want it to be triggering to people.

After second mc I started to have ovulation pain which I’ve never previously and then I started to have pain NOT around ovulation too. Went to the GP, explained all the above and got told “ovulation pain is normal. Maybe get checked for STDs.” So ignored all the detail I gave.

Continued to get the pain, went private, got a scan to be told I have polycystic ovaries. 24 cysts!!!

So not only the sonography somehow missed 24 cysts but also my concerns were entirely dismissed when I knew something was not right since mc 2. I know PCOS can cause miscarriage and I also know that there are medications you can take in pregnancy due to that. It all feels so needless.

I know rules are rules just sad to I had to have 3 mc before I would have been taken seriously by the NHS when I knew something wasn’t right with me. I have suffered mentally and even physically as I believe the pregnancies have exacerbated the cysts as never had the pain before. All for nothing as I have no baby. If I’d known I had this issue I could have at least made informed choices.

I know it’s not the NHS fault I’m faulty but just wish my judgement has been respected. It makes me sad. I’m just looking for a sympathetic ear tbh.

thank you sorry this is long

Have a sympathetic ear and a big hug. That’s so shit and you deserved better.

Have you been referred to the RMC or have you decided to stop ttc? They can run tests for possible other issues which may be affecting your pregnancies.

Is there any treatment for the PCOS?

I’m so very sorry you lost your babies and for all the pain and heartache you’ve experienced 💐

I'm really sorry for what you're going through and I agree you deserved better. It's perfectly okay to criticise the NHS when it lets us down - you should have been listened to and cared for.

@AnneLovesGilbert @tickticksnooze thank you both so much for your kind replies, they brought a tear to my eye. It’s nice to be acknowledged by someone not as emotionally as involved as me and my family.

I did get referred to RMU however they responded a few months later and I didn’t have the energy for the ‘journey’ I felt would happen based on my previous care. Seems the same questions by everyone I have spoken to relating to my mc, always “do you have regular periods, do you smoke, do you have a healthy diet.” Generic questions with no real substance making me question where are these ‘investigations ‘ going to go…

I am a biological scientist so when I was going to the doctor thinking I possibly have X issue (coupled with my own instincts) I have some background knowledge I’m not hysterically making random conclusions (not inferring anyone not in this field is doing that either.)

You know also on mc forums then say - don’t think it’s anything you did. But GP did the opposite “is your diet ok, did you drink a lot prior to pregnancy.” I suppose they have to ask but it does feel like “did you do anything wrong?” No I prepared for months and throughly researched everything because I am extra af 😂. Sorry waffling now just getting it all out!

Not NHS bashing I supposed it’s more just being dismissed by individuals and at some times patronised as opposed to being genuinely listened to.

My first private consultation as the first time I felt heard. That’s quite sad I think. And I know I am very fortunate to have had that option.

Thank you again ladies

Sorry forgot to answer. The sonographer / doctor just said I have polycystic ovaries but not much more. So about treatment not sure. I am going to ask about a follow up consultation to go through my questions (I have many!)

Feeling heard is really important and valuable. When something awful happens it can be what makes you feel safe and able to keep going.

It's one of the basic fundamentals of care, you haven't been asking for or expecting anything special or unreasonable.

I can understand why you didn't feel able to pursue the referral at that time. What you've described makes sense.

I hope you get the opportunity to ask your questions.

The sonographer didn’t miss anything. If the sonographer saw a corpus luteum on your scan then by definition the ovary would not have looked polycystic. A polycystic ovary is an ovary without a dominant follicle. And ovaries change in appearance month to month. When you where scanned again they counted 24 small follicles and the lack of a dominant follicle.

I work in obstetric sonography and agree with @olivehater about the sonographers findings OP. Your complaint should lie with your GP not the sonographer. They didn't miss what they couldn't see. That's just how sonography works unfortunately. We will only see what is happening at that given time and you wouldn't always have 24 cystic areas within your ovary. The fluctuate with your cycle. The only way to diagnose PCOS nowadays is with a blood test. Ovaries my look polycystic on a scan but cannot be clinically diagnosed without the blood test. Diagnostics has changed in recent years. Your GP should have referred you for blood tests and ultrasounds many times when you weren't pregnant, especially when you said you were experience pain outside of ovulation.

Sorry, that just sounds awful. I dont understand why woman in the UK dont have access to gynaecology as women in Europe do. Why do you need to rely on a GP for stuff like this is beyond me. Here (post-communist Europe) your cysts would have been picked up long time ago at a check-up or at any stage when in pain.
Hope you get sorted soon!