Inconsistent advice from hospital/midwife

[LucyLugosi]

Hello all, sorry for the vent/wall of text.

I've experienced a lot of light bleeding so far in my pregnancy, at 6, 7, 8 and 10 weeks.

Each time I followed the advice on the NHS website to call my GP. My GP referred me to the early pregnancy clinic, who scanned me each time.

The first sonographer said, while everything was fine, 'please don't ever ignore bleeding'.
The second agreed with this.
The third said it might now be best to manage the anxiety about the bleeding as it doesn't seem to be affecting my pregnancy.

Because of this, I ignored it the next time I had some bleeding.

Then in my 9th week I had my booking in appointment, and the midwife said she wished I had been referred the time I ignored, and to please always call.

I have had light bleeding again all weekend and yesterday, so I called the number the midwife gave me and spoke to the on-call midwife. I didn't exaggerate or ham up what I was experiencing, I was very honest that I wasn't in pain and it was light bleeding that ranged from light pink to bright red.

The midwife said she was optimistic everything was fine, but she wanted me to come in this morning to be seen.

I went in and was seen, and this time the sonographer was totally different. She acted like I was just making a meal out of nothing to get illicit scans, even to the point of not showing me the screen (I didn't care about seeing anything, all I wanted to know was if anything was wrong).

She then said I had to go and see the nurse, who once again treated me very sternly, as if I was just wasting everyone's time and shouldn't be there.

I tried to make the point that I didn't just turn up and demand to be seen; I was totally honest about what was happening each time, and each time either my GP or midwife had decided I should go in. If they had said there was no need, I wouldn't have gone.

I feel really angry and upset that they would treat me like that when I have done nothing but follow the advice given to me. I'm not a malingerer or time waster; I was told to go in!

I don't know, has anyone else had anything like this? AIBU? I will definitely bring it up so the midwifes know the discrepancy between their advice and the views of the clinic!

YANBU. Tell your midwife what has happened and hopefully they can pass along the information and DO NOT let it deter you from going in if it happens again.
I'm sure someone will come along with a better insight but please always go!

I have only experienced the assessment unit twice, once in each pregnancy. First time round I had just found out I was pregnant and unsure how far as it was completely unplanned.. the lady there said these exact words to me "this isn't where you come for a dating scan you know! You need to arrange a booking in appointment now just turnt up here with that letter" Really rudely.. like you my doctor referred me.. anyway after a lot of huffing and puffing she finally agreeded to proceed and it turnt out I was actually 6 months pregnant!! Second time round they were fantastic.. I experienced light bleeding at 7 weeks they scanned and reassured me.
I hate to stick up for them but they must see 100 women in the same situation and probably in some cases it isn't a genuine emergency I know a few people myself who say they bleed and go for reassurance when really they just want a scan. It is horrible when they make you feel like your wasting time.. your not your listening to your body, doctor and midwife I can imagine all hospitals are under stress and pressure and unfortunately take it out on us mums! Continue to get checked every time your baby is your only interest not there opinion! Best wishes x

P.s as far as not showing you the screen I have heard this is common as early on your not always going to see something and it can cause more stress and worry for you. This happened in both of mine x

Thanks.

Regarding the screen, I was shown it every other scan and clearly saw the fetus. I don't care about not seeing as that wasn't what I was there for, but it was pretty clear she was 'punishing' me by making sure I didn't get what she thought I wanted.

I even wish they had just done an internal examination to see if they could find out why I'm always bleeding instead of a scan.

I will try not to be put off if it happens again but I am really worried about their advice now!

My sonographer didn't even show me the screen on my 12 week scan, no joke! (She was the grumpiest woman alive and then made a clinical error just resulted in me being labelled high risk consultant led for 8 weeks between that and my 20 week scan when a radiographer noticed the sonographer had misdiagnosed... was so stressful for me in that interim). That aside I also had a bleed at 7 weeks and EPU were lovely, EPU, my midwife and my GP have all reinforced to me to always tell someone even if you're not in pain (I wasn't). Sorry to hear you've been getting inconsistent messages OP but you're definitely in the right to keep raising it if it happens xx

You aren't being unreasonable. I had a bright red heavy bleed at 11wks and the EPU were ok about scanning me but just shrugged and said it can happen and couldn't say what caused it. All was fine at my dating scan but then at 14wks I started to have brown spotting and rang EPU. They basically told me there was nothing they could do about it and only to ring if I had red blood or cramping. The spotting lasted for 2 weeks and when I had my 16wk appt with midwife she was shocked that they hadn't checked me out. She tried to refer me over to EPU but they were having none of it but she managed to get maternity ward to see me even though I was only 16wks. They did an internal and found cervical ectropion which was the cause of the bleeding.

It really upset me that I had been left anxious and worrying and waiting for a potential miscarriage for over 2 weeks before a simple check was done thay immediately reassured me.

Was so glad to see the back of EPU! They just seemed to have no regard for your feelings at all

I've found the maternity side of the hospital disappointing so far. I am 24 weeks at had a severe panic attack and abdominal pains so ambulance rushed me in. A&E couldn't assess me and wanted maternity to but they refused. After 4 hour wait, A&E basically wheeled me to the delivery suite and dumped me there! They had no choice but to see me (was then 3am) and realised I was bordering on having pre eclampsia and needed monitoring for a week.

I get they have lots of people and panics but they sometimes should suck it up and have a bit of compassion even if there is nothing they can do!

I've found the maternity side of the hospital disappointing so far. I am 24 weeks at had a severe panic attack and abdominal pains so ambulance rushed me in. A&E couldn't assess me and wanted maternity to but they refused. After 4 hour wait, A&E basically wheeled me to the delivery suite and dumped me there! They had no choice but to see me (was then 3am) and realised I was bordering on having pre eclampsia and needed monitoring for a week.

I get they have lots of people and panics but they sometimes should suck it up and have a bit of compassion even if there is nothing they can do!