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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

I’ve just been denied medical management of a failed abortion

722 replies

Tinyteatime · 27/06/2019 10:42

I had a medical termination last Saturday, 7 weeks pregnant after my coil failed. Thought it had passed relatively easily so came away on a short holiday with my family luckily only 1.5 hours away from home. Started heavy bleeding and bad cramps yesterday, came to a&e as as advised by the BPAS clinic as I was flooding a pad and blood leaking through my trousers. Passed some very large clots. Internal scan reveals what they think is a foetal heart beat still in there. I’ve been in hospital one night and they said they would do the surgery on me this morning. I’ve just been told that all the doctors available won’t perform the procedure due to religion. This in the U.K. in 2019, in a hospital that offers abortion services. They’ve said I can stay another night and have it tomorrow, I have a breastfed baby that I’ve already been away from for one night, I’m in pain, bleeding and I’ve already had sepsis last year from a womb infection whilst giving birth so I’ve raised infection risk as a concern. I feel so angry about this. Would they deny women treatment for miscarriage? Or is it because there may still be a foetal heartbeat present? Is it simply because I’ve chosen to end the pregnancy myself? How in an nhs hospital can women be denied healthcare like this?

OP posts:
Annasgirl · 27/06/2019 11:01

Keeping it going hoping someone comes on with practical help for you. I really think you need to get it public so they will act to save their reputation - does anyone know how to do this?

We have the National Women's council in Ireland who sort these things out, I know it sounds really old fashioned but it is helpful. Do you guys have anyone like this? What about BPAS - could they help you?

moreismore · 27/06/2019 11:01

Can you get PALS involved now? Also ask for a full explanation of risk and what the hospital complain procedure is. Ask for all conversations to be documented in full. Basically make yourself a huge litigation risk for them. You really shouldn’t need to do this but it’s what I’d do.

Pepvixen · 27/06/2019 11:02

It is completely outrageous. Can you begin a complaint now? Maybe tell a nurse you would like to make a complaint? Or google the hospital's complaint procedure.

Pepvixen · 27/06/2019 11:03

yes I agree with moreismore - make it clear that they are taking legal risk by not treating you.

moreismore · 27/06/2019 11:05

And ‘I’m not judging you?’ Well my reply would be ‘I AM judging you. You took the Hippocratic oath and you are going to let me lie here, in pain, losing blood and at increased risk of infection. Separated from my bf baby with no regard for my mental health or the effect of separation on my child. You are not fit to practise medicine,’ I am so angry on your behalf!

Barracker · 27/06/2019 11:05

I'm horrified for you.
I think providing abortion care procedures to women should be compulsory for all doctors, and the religious opt out is such a dereliction of duty that it should be revoked.
But hospitals that do not ensure that they have doctors available at all times to handle cases like yours are as negligent as they would be if they had no cardiac surgeons available because they didn't bother to sort out the rota.
Whatever procedures they would put in place to ensure adequate staffing there should apply here.

I don't know who to tell you to contact to get the hospital moving today but I hope other posters do.

Passmeabrew · 27/06/2019 11:06

Contact the hospital PALs and ask if they can help?

Karmin · 27/06/2019 11:06

As you are so close to home, I would simply go home and go to the local hospital today.

Once treatment is completed and you are feeling better, put in a complaint about the first hospital.

moreismore · 27/06/2019 11:06

(Btw I would never think of that actual reply in your position. Because you are alone and vulnerable and not in the right frame of mind to be advocating for yourself and you shouldn’t have to be. That is your doctors job.)

RosaWaiting · 27/06/2019 11:06

this is horrendous
I am so sorry this is happening to you

what do the hospital PALS say?

I don't think these doctors are fit to practice. They don't respect life enough frankly.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 27/06/2019 11:08

Yeah, ‘I’m not judging you’ .

Such a lovely thing to say.

gamerchick · 27/06/2019 11:11

Ring pals, get someone with you and ask that same doctor to sign a statement that she's refusing you treatment on religious grounds for formal proceedings if a delay in care has repercussions on your health.

I'm so sorry you're going through this OP Flowers

Crass12 · 27/06/2019 11:11

WTAF! This is one story I’d like the DM to pick up on.
Religion on the DR’s part shouldn’t interfere with giving medical treatment

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 27/06/2019 11:12

This is absolutely outrageous.

I have no problem with people who are religious practicing medicine, but if your religion prevents you from caring for some gynae issues then you should not be working in OB/GYN. There are plenty of other specialties where you could practice medicine and not have your religion come into conflict with your job.

Anyone who CHOOSES to be an OB/GYN doctor knowing they won't care for women who need this treatment has suspicious motives, in my mind.

I really hope yu're ok, OP. I am so sorry this has happened to you. I hope someone there steps up.

Original poster
Tinyteatime · 27/06/2019 11:14

Thanks all for the support and I hadn’t thought of PALS. Will get dh to find someone to speak to. They are saying that at the latest I will have the surgery tomorrow afternoon, so another night in hospital. Maybe they think the extra 24 hours poses no risk of infection? I know different. That’s my biggest concern right now. I’ve already been bleeding for a week!

OP posts:
MoobaaMoobaa · 27/06/2019 11:15

can they transfer to another hospital ASAP?

I thought in an emergency if a hospital couldn't provide the care needed they transfer patients in an ambulance to nearest hospital that can?

Original poster
Tinyteatime · 27/06/2019 11:16

Moreismore. I actually did kind of say all those things to her, before breaking down in tears at the thought of leaving my baby another night.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tinyteatime · 27/06/2019 11:18

Because my bleeding has eased overnight I don’t think I’m classes as an emergency. I have a feeling if I were to get up and walk around a bit it would start up again as I’m cramping a lot. I explained that I don’t want to risk going home and having another massive bleed and her response was ‘well you’re not bleeding now’, yea because that can’t change.

OP posts:
Barracker · 27/06/2019 11:25

In the meantime, can your baby be with you on the ward?

chickhonhoneybabe · 27/06/2019 11:28

Speak to the hospitals PALS service and ask them to ring your local hospital gyny department and ask if they can transfer you. Or speak to your local hospital directly.

Sunkisses · 27/06/2019 11:28

Would they allow you to bring your baby in, to continue breastfeeding? I know it is not ideal, but I would dig in. You've had a failed abortion. They need to sort that out - especially given your elevated risk of infection.

stillathing · 27/06/2019 11:30

I've nothing useful but to say I am utterly raging for you. Flowers

Structural sexism. It doesn't seem to be going away.

DpWm · 27/06/2019 11:31
Shock Fucking hell. What religion?
RoxytheRexy · 27/06/2019 11:31

This is disgusting. What have any of the nursing staff? I’m so sorry this is happening to you. And disgusted that a Dr said that to you. Is there anyone that can come and advocate for you?

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 27/06/2019 11:33

Fucking hell. What religion

Doesn’t matter, does it?

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