AIBU to make a complaint?

[Pepper123123]

I will try to keep this short...

I am currently hospitalised with preeclampsia at 29 weeks.

I got here after asking for help twice from maternity triage, being told to stay home and rest, but then insisting I be seen after reporting my symptoms to them on two separate occasions over the space of a week.

If my mother hadn't have pushed it, I'd have taken the midwives advice and stayed home, putting my symptoms down to general pregnancy complaints.

My mother was incensed and would like to make a complaint.
I am less keen to do that. Although I am upset that I was so easily dismissed, I feel that NHS frontline staff have an incredibly difficult job to do, and mistakes happen.

Is making a complaint going to achieve anything?

Yes. Make a complaint. If you don't, how will the hospital realise they have a gap in knowledge in some staff members? Clearly training is required for them to be able to spot the symptoms.

I’d usually say let it go, but pre eclampsia is very dangerous and they should have listened when you first reported your symptoms.

I think a complaint would help them to identify the failings in their hospital systems and improve for the future.

Glad you are being looked after now.

I would say yes, although if you feel uncomfortable then offer it as feedback rather than a complaint. You don’t have to be rude about it (and it doesn’t sound like you would be!) but as PP said, it looks like a training update may be required - even if it’s just about the nuanced way in which symptoms can present in different patients. I’m glad it did get spotted though - well done for persevering - and I hope you feel ok x

Preeclampsia is potentially a fatal condition in pregnancy.
I’m not a great one for complaining especially with the NHS but I think on this occasion I would certainly raise the issue at the very least.

Hope you’re ok now and glad you’re receiving appropriate care

Some good points raised.

I think one issue that would make a difference is that part of the midwive's reasoning for not feeling the need to see me was because I didn't have preeclampsia in my last pregnancy.

I was told that it is highly unlikely I would have it. However, from speaking to various medical professionals it is uncommon, but absolutely not a reason to rule it out.

Perhaps raising this as feedback rather than a complaint will make me feel less confrontational and possibly help another mum-to-be who may be going through similar.

Thank you for you well wishes. Baby has been given strict orders to stay put for now.

I am nhs frontline staff and I think you should complain as it needs to be looked into.

You definitely need to raise it so they can see where they have gone wrong as it could potentially kill someone if they carry on with that reasoning! I got pre-eclampsia at 24 weeks in my last pregnancy even though it was my 3rd pregnancy (same father as I know that's a factor) with no history in previous pregnancies. It was also the first pregnancy when I had an acceptable starting weight (I used to be 7 stone heavier). They need to be aware that women and pregnancy don't follow a certains set of data. I hope you are okay and that you are treated correctly throughout the rest of your pregnancy.

I would give feedback so that they can identify gaps in knowledge and refresh their training where necessary.

Definitely make a complaint, I had to push extremely hard to be taken seriously with pre-eclampsia at 35 weeks (my booking and normal BP was really low so although it had jumped up in the extreme, they didn't see it as "high" because the average person has a normal BP about there) and my baby could have died as every time I had a tightening, or "normal Braxton Hicks" her heart rate dropped and I was in early labour with no idea. It eventually stopped coming up and she needed resuscited. They need to learn to listen more to women who know their bodies, not just read textbook cases.

My midwife sent me into hospital with protein in my urine and crazy high bp averaging 117/ 110. Doctor at the hospital wanted to admit me onto the ward for observations but surprisingly one of the triage nurse's was trying to block and prevent it so (in her words) "You don't have the hassle of having to stay over"!!

Luckily the doctor didn't listen to her and I was admitted for 2 weeks before being induced at 35 weeks cause they could no longer control my bp with medication.

I was cared for by so many lovely staff in triage as I was in and out quite a bit but there are definitely a few who need a good shake and re-trained.

Definitely pass on feedback, if you don't want to come across as complaining you could also point out something one of the midwives done well x