"Left waiting and sent home without answers during an early pregnancy bleed"

At approximately 10 weeks pregnant, I attended the King Edward Memorial Hospital Emergency Department after hours because I was experiencing bleeding and was understandably worried about the wellbeing of my baby and the viability of my pregnancy. I was frightened, anxious, and hoped to receive timely assessment, answers, and reassurance.

After waiting for several hours, I had blood tests and a urine test completed. However, after spending many hours in the Emergency Department, I was eventually informed that I would need to return three days later for an abdominal and internal ultrasound to determine whether my baby's heart was still beating and to investigate the cause of the bleeding.

I understand that an internal ultrasound requires specialist sonographer attendance. However, I struggled to understand why a simple abdominal ultrasound could not be performed after hours by one of the several midwives who were on duty to determine whether there was still a detectable heartbeat. While this may not have answered every clinical question, it would have provided some immediate information and reassurance during an extremely distressing time.

Being sent home late at night without knowing whether my pregnancy was still viable caused significant emotional distress. The following three days were filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and worry. Instead of receiving answers and support during a very vulnerable time, I felt that bleeding in early pregnancy was treated as clinically routine, while the emotional impact was largely overlooked. I was left to cope with the possibility of pregnancy loss on my own.

I appreciate that emergency departments are busy and that patients are prioritised according to clinical need. However, I believe the emotional impact of early pregnancy complications should be better recognised. Clear communication about why an ultrasound could not be performed, what alternative options were available, and acknowledgement of the distress caused would have made a significant difference to my experience.

In my opinion, no woman experiencing bleeding in early pregnancy should leave the Emergency Department after many hours without a clear understanding of what is happening, when answers will be available, and what support is available while waiting. While I accept there may have been clinical reasons for the delay, the lack of timely information and reassurance added significantly to an already frightening situation.

I hope this feedback encourages greater consideration of the emotional needs of women presenting with bleeding in early pregnancy and helps improve care for others facing similar situations.