Mumsnet campaign for Miscarriage standard code of practice

[carriemumsnet]

When Alan Johnson came a visiting last week, miscarriage and some of the frankly appalling treatment that Mumsnetters have suffered was one of the talking points Following on from sfx's comments (and others) this is what AJ had to say:
"it seems to me from all your comments and from talking to the Mumsnet people here that we really should seek to ensure a common set of standards across the country. I think I'm in at the start of a new campaign and it's something I will talk to Ministers about when I return to the Department. Mumsnet have informed me that I will not be allowed to forget this issue!"

So now it's down to us to come up with that common set of standards- guidelines and procedures that we'd like to see implemented across the whole of the UK.

I'll happily kick off as a veteran of 2 m/c: but do feel free to disagree with my suggestions/add your improvements :

Automatic access to EPU for anyone with a suspected miscarriage (without having to get a GP referral) and EPU's situated away from regular ante natal clinics /labour wards and devoid of images of smiling babies - please.

Access to all affected to a pamphlet/booklet put together by Mumsnet and full of your tips, advice, empathy and reassurance - describing what might happen and letting folks know they're not alone in this.

Over to you...

I've contacted Lucy

I had a miscarriage about 5 years ago. It started with a trip for a scan as obvious signs meant all was not well. I was told quite blatantly that the baby was dead and had been for the last 4 weeks ( I was 13 weeks). I was sent to see a consultant who was nice and suggested a D & C (is that what its called?) so that it could all be over rather than going home and agonising about when it would happen. I liked him as he was straight forward and incredibly sympathetic. However - i got to the ward and someone took it upon themselves to let it happen naturally as I was already bleeding. I was left alone behind drawn curtains in a full ward miscarrying for about 8 hours and at one point a nurse came in with my little one in a bed pan and asked what I would like done wiht the foetus! I cried and cried and after about another hour stared to feel light headed and I was losing an enormous amount of blood - a nurse said this was normal and not to worry. A doctor checked on me a few minutes later and I was code red and rushed to theatre. I woke up later and was sent homme the next morning wiht a leaflet. That is my horrific experience in Hereford County Hospital........it was barbaric and apart from one consultant no one squeezed my hand or gave a sympathetic word. Nurses were cold and unfriendly and too busy to give a damm.
Sorry to go on - I've never written it down before!!!

justine, do you think they would want to talk to me? while the care Ive had during each of my mc's was at worst dismissive, the care ive had to actually treat me has been very tough to take. having had 10 mc's in total and a variety of conultants who think a "holiday" will do the trick we've a bit of a story

Queen - so sorry to hear about your lousy care - do drop lucy a line. Thanks.

will do, thanks. unfortunately its not that unusual in rmc, the hut is full of women like me. when you exceed that 3mc's mark you are written off. cons tend to prescribe heparin or simillar and dont acknowledge that there are other issues. you get a pretty good picture of what happens after a while and its nigh on impossibel to get someone to listen to your concerns. im certain that my problem will be helped by AB's or steroids from 4w on, unfortunately my cons is gently dismissive and wants me on heparin from 6w. i typically mc at 5-7w

If it is bad news at a scan, I think you should be offered the d&C immediately (or at least, within 24 hours). I had to walk around with a dead baby in me for a week. Was terrified every time I left the house. They only fitted me in after a week because I got HYSTERICAL - they were trying to make me wait THREE WEEKS for an operating slot.

Very sadly this has happened to me TWICE (being made to wait a week for the op)

Also, some follow up emotional support would be good. Very rare.

i have emailed lucy, speaking to her tommorow.

sorry that you have boon through mc so many times queen and especially sorry that arent getting the treatment you feel you need.

reindeermum with two of my mc i have had to wait 3 weeks for erpc. its just not right.

been

Just spoken to Lucy. Didn't think I'd still cry talking about it though

speaking to Lucy tomorrow.

CMOT

She was lovely - but I think she was a bit staggered by just how insensitive HCPs were, and what the rec miscarriage journey is like.

I think haven't actually said the whole thing out loud, ever - cos no one is interested in hearing the whole crappy thing - so it was a bit flashbacky

just spoken to her, she was very lovely and (as Cmot said) seemed horrified by the standard of care.

At the Dept of Health now discussing our Code of Practice. Lots of consensus that our ten point plan is desirable - getting into the meat of discussing what's achievable.

great new, thank Justine.

I have come to mumsnet for the first time today and was interested to see this thread on miscarriages.

I had 2 miscarriages in 2008 and am still struggling to come to terms with them despite having since had a healthy baby. Sometimes I feel very selfish and over dramatic that I am still feeling this was but I think the fact that I have hardly talked about things has not helped. It was not until a week after my 2nd miscarriage that I was given a leaflet with any information on (from the miscarriage association) and I didn't even find that particularly helpful.

I found my doctor to be quite dismissive and unhelpful. There are plenty of other things that are 'very common' but where you still get help!

With regard to pt 5 of our Code - i.e. renaming ERPC to something less confusing and upsetting, we've been asked for thoughts on what term/description Mumsnetters think would be better. What do you think of Removal of foetus/baby and sac for example?

Surgical removal of pregnancy ?

I'd just like to make the point to the DoH that most of the things that would make life a lot better for women and their partners cost tiny amounts or nothing at all. It's all about respect

i second CMot.

crazylittledaisy, welcome to mn.

I agree with CMot too.

Surgical assistance with miscarriage?

Comment on Surgical removal of pregnancy from the health professionals is that it would equally apply to termination - so maybe not so good?

surgery following miscarriage? SFM

'products of conception' is so cold

do you still need case studies, only just seen this?