"My experience during a difficult pregnancy"

I wanted to share my experience at Busselton Health Campus during my second pregnancy.

I have been suffering from severe hyperemesis gravidarum since around six weeks pregnant. For approximately 14 weeks, I required IV fluids three times a week through a midline because I struggled to maintain adequate food and fluid intake. This pregnancy has had a huge physical and emotional impact on me and my family.

I have also had some truly wonderful care at Busselton Health Campus. I would particularly like to thank Marnee, Claire, Nikki, Sue and all of the midwives who have cared for me. I am also incredibly grateful to Dr Cassie, Dr Jasna, Dr Peta and Dr Peter (GPO). Their compassion, professionalism and advocacy have made an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult pregnancy.

Unfortunately, I had a very different experience recently when I attended for my scheduled IV fluids and to discuss replacing my midline.

A clinician spoke with me and explained that the hospital guideline recommended removing the midline after 28 days. I had no issue with this and understood the explanation. My concern was with the conversation that followed.

I was told that I should try to manage my hydration at home and that, because I was in my second trimester, I should not still be experiencing significant hyperemesis symptoms.

After spending months extremely unwell and requiring regular IV fluids, I found these comments incredibly distressing. I felt as though the severity of my illness was being minimised and that I was having to justify how sick I had actually been.

My condition was also compared to seasickness, and I was given an explanation about how swallowing saliva, combined with drinking fluids, should help maintain my hydration. I found this particularly upsetting given that I had required IV fluids three times a week for more than three months.

The experience left me feeling dismissed, vulnerable and frightened. I became so overwhelmed that I experienced a severe panic attack on the maternity ward. Thankfully, the nursing staff were incredible and supported me with such kindness and compassion.

I did raise these concerns directly with Busselton Health Campus. I submitted a formal complaint several weeks ago and initially received no acknowledgement. I eventually had to follow up myself to find out whether my complaint had even been received, at which point I was advised that I would receive a response.

Several weeks have now passed, and I still have not received a formal response.

This has been particularly disappointing after an experience that already left me feeling unheard. I am therefore sharing my story on Care Opinion because I feel it is important that my experience is acknowledged and that other patients understand how vulnerable and distressing an interaction like this can feel.

What has stayed with me most is the contrast between this experience and the wonderful care I have received from so many other staff at Busselton Health Campus.

I understand that clinicians need to follow guidelines and that opinions about treatment can differ. What I hope can come from sharing my experience is a greater understanding of how important empathy and communication are, particularly when caring for someone with a condition as debilitating as hyperemesis gravidarum.

Sometimes patients don’t need to be told that what they are experiencing shouldn’t still be happening. They simply need to feel heard, believed and supported.

I remain incredibly grateful to the many staff who have cared for me throughout this pregnancy, and I hope sharing my experience can help ensure other patients in similarly vulnerable situations feel the same level of compassion and support.