"Feeling dismissed and unsupported after abdominal trauma during early pregnancy"

I attended Rockhampton Hospital Emergency Department at 5 weeks and 5 days pregnant after direct trauma to my abdomen. I explained that I was pregnant and had been injured, but was left waiting approximately three hours before being assessed. I was extremely distressed and concerned about my pregnancy. While waiting, I was questioned about my circumstances in the waiting room where other patients could hear, which I found embarrassing and inappropriate given the personal nature of the questions. I was also given a heat pack for my pain and offered Nurofen, despite being pregnant, which caused me further concern about whether my pregnancy had been appropriately considered as both of these are documented to increase the risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy.

When I was eventually assessed, I was not offered an ultrasound or other assessment of my pregnancy and was told to have my already scheduled private scan instead, as the hospital would not be able to ultrasound me. I was told to return if I started bleeding. When my husband questioned why a pregnant woman with abdominal trauma was being made to wait so long and asked whether I would have been treated the same at six months pregnant, the nurse replied, no, that’s different. My husband also stated that he felt it was neglectful to make a pregnant woman with abdominal trauma wait so long, but his concern was not responded to.

I subsequently had blood tests, including an HCG level, but the result has still not been uploaded to my health portal. When I contacted the hospital to ask for the result, I was told that if I wanted to know my HCG result, I would need to return to the Emergency Department and wait to be triaged again. This has added further distress and uncertainty during an already frightening experience.

I left feeling dismissed, frightened and unsupported. I believe pregnant patients presenting after trauma deserve timely assessment, privacy and dignity, appropriate consideration of pregnancy-safe treatment, clear communication and appropriate follow-up, regardless of how early their pregnancy is.