Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

Advice needed hospital error

22 replies

Surprisethird · 30/09/2013 22:19

Hi I found out I was pregnant 2 weeks ago, which was a surprise as I had a mirena coil fitted at the end if may this year, during an operation to remove a cyst and my left ovary. So been for a scan today to make sure not eptopic , and pregnancy is in correct place and has a heart beat just under 6 weeks pregnant. But looking through my notes they can see my consent for to have the coil fitted and the coil was taken down to the operation table on my trolly, but no mention if the coil after that, no six week coil check made, no more reference at alls and the coil is not seen on the scan. All nurses at the hospital today seem to think there's a chance it never got fitted!
I am going to keep the baby but we have a 14 yr old and a 8 year old, we are also getting married in November and all being well I will be 13 weeks pregnant and just hoping my expensive wedding dress will fit!
I am going to complain but do you think I am justified ! Any comments are welcome
Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Writerwannabe83 · 30/09/2013 22:23

Blimey - what a screw up!!!

Did you notice any changes to your period after the 'coil was inserted' ??

Original poster

Surprisethird · 30/09/2013 22:25

Hi no, I ovulated each month, so after 2 months went to docs about something else and just mentioned that I had a mirena fitted and I was still ovulating was this normal and they told me to give the mirena 6 months and this should settle!

OP posts:

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 30/09/2013 22:27

Christ what a shock!

I think it will all hinge on whether or not it was fitted TBH. They should have noted the batch number/maybe a sticker to go in your notes (in case of recalls)

Coils can fall out, it's a known risk.
But if it was never fitted I would definitely pursue it - it's downright negligent.

First of all, get a photocopied set of your notes now, so nothing can be corrected/amended and get someone medical to go through them with you.

Writerwannabe83 · 30/09/2013 22:30

The Mirena doesn't stop ovulation though does it?? So not sure what his point was? I had the Mirena for 3 years and still had a period every month although they were much lighter and much shorter. That's why I asked if you'd noticed any changes in your periods that would indicate a Mirena was in place.

As has been said, they can come out and the risk is higher for women who have previously had children but it still seems a bit 'off'.

I agree with moaning - total negligence if they didn't put it in!!!!!

Original poster

Surprisethird · 30/09/2013 22:30

Hi thanks, that's helpful , I will try and get this done, I understand the chance it can fall out but no 6 week check was made either so if it did fall out in my first period it would have been discovered on my first check up, so either way they have let me down badly
Thanks for your advice

OP posts:

Original poster

Surprisethird · 30/09/2013 22:32

Hi, I was advised by doc to have it fitted as the hormone it releases can stop you ovulating which may have stopped me growing ovarian cysts, due to having a blood clot in lung from the pill so that was out if the question, but periods seemed the same as normal

OP posts:

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 30/09/2013 22:34

Did you make an appointment for a 6 week check?

Writerwannabe83 · 30/09/2013 22:35

It always fascinates me how different women are given different explanations as to how things work.... Ovulation wasn't even mentioned to me

After having it inserted I was told that I wasn't allowed to have sex until after I'd had my 6 week check - did nobody say anything like this to you either??

Original poster

Surprisethird · 30/09/2013 22:35

No I was never told too and only been told about this since becoming pregnant,

OP posts:

Original poster

Surprisethird · 30/09/2013 22:38

No nothing at all, after my op one of the docs came round to tell me how my op went but he was not the one that did the op, he didn't mention the coil, so I asked if it had been fitted, he looked a bit confused and flicked through my notes and said yes! However nurses looked through the same notes today and said there is no mention other than the consent form that I signed,

OP posts:

Writerwannabe83 · 30/09/2013 22:39

It all sounds a bit fishy!!!

I would be absolutely fuming if I was you!!!

But, I'm sure it will their word against yours regarding whether it was inserted or not - and I'm sure they will cover each other if necessary

You are definitely right though to make a huge issue out of it!!

Original poster

Surprisethird · 30/09/2013 22:42

Yes I am p###ed , I am self employed kids at school , 34 so was not planning on another one !
I will make sure I follow it through!
Thanks for all your comments , very helpful xx

OP posts:

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 30/09/2013 22:47

Not usual to be advised to abstain until 6 week check though - common to have sex so you can check it's comfy/see if the strings need trimming. You should have been advised to feel for the strings though.

LadyMedea · 01/10/2013 08:32

In the majority of women it does stop ovulation... Although it also prevents implantation if you do ovulate.

If you had expelled it you would know - its not a small thing, can't imagine it would fall out and you'd not notice.

I would seriously complain!

ClenchingPanda · 01/10/2013 15:06

I would contact PALS, and would be asking for a photocopy of my notes from that admission and an appointment with the consultant gynae whose care you were under to go through your notes. There should be a detailed operation note written by the person who did the surgery. If there really is no mention of the coil at all, I would certainly complain loudly .

It is possible to expel a coil and not realise - I had one fitted yesterday and the GP mentioned it as a rare risk.

If it has all happened as you suspect, the hospital need to know as there are failings on many different levels here which they need to address (coil potentially not being put in, then worse, being told it had been fitted when it hadn't, not being asked to go for a threads check...).

Good luck to you.

Original poster

Surprisethird · 01/10/2013 23:18

Hi thanks, I have written a letter if complaint but before I send it I will add in I want a copy of my notes
Thanks for your advice

OP posts:

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 02/10/2013 08:45

can I strongly suggest you get the photocopied notes first and do the complaint after.

get the notes NOW
complaint can wait
I'm good with complaints so feel free to ask for help with it

Original poster

Surprisethird · 02/10/2013 15:46

Ok do I just ring for a copy if my notes?

OP posts:

steeking · 02/10/2013 15:49

I was shown how to check for the string on mine, to ensure it was still in place

fuckwittery · 02/10/2013 16:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ClenchingPanda · 02/10/2013 18:55

PALS will be able to advise on how to go about obtaining your notes, but agree that it is probably a good idea to request them first (pretty sure you don't have to say why you want them) and the proceed with your complaint / any further action afterwards.

Original poster

Surprisethird · 03/10/2013 06:36

Hi thanks for all your comments I have filled in a form to request for my notes and going to cost me £30 so not too bad

OP posts:

Flip