Exclusive: Rainham Mum Speaks Out After Being Told She Was Miscarrying—Only To Discover Her Baby Had A Strong Heartbeat

A Rainham mother-to-be has spoken exclusively to the Havering Daily about what she describes as a distressing experience at Queen’s Hospital, after being repeatedly told she was likely suffering a miscarriage before later being informed that her baby had a strong heartbeat and appeared healthy.

The expectant mother says the ordeal left her emotionally exhausted and questioning how many other women may have experienced similar situations.

“I was told it was a suspected miscarriage and had to repeatedly demand a scan, only to then be told my baby had a strong heartbeat,” she said.

“How many other mothers-to-be do they do this to?”

The woman’s experience began on Saturday 30 May when she started feeling unwell and experiencing pain and bleeding.

“I began bleeding and had a lot of pain, so I took myself to Queen’s Hospital. They sent me to the Early Pregnancy Unit where they took a urine sample from me.”

“After waiting a while, the doctor came and spoke with me and told me that it sounded like a suspected miscarriage. I asked for a scan to check and was told they do not do any scans at the weekend. Apparently they are not authorised to use the scanner at weekends, I was told.”

The mother-to-be says she repeatedly requested a scan but was told one could not be carried out at that time.

“The doctor then said she had to do an internal examination and tried to use a speculum, but the pain was awful. I asked her to stop, after which she became stroppy and said, ‘How am I supposed to check?’ I then asked again for a scan and they said no.”

She also expressed concerns about the manner in which she was treated.

“The doctor was rude, not kind in any way. She then carried out a finger examination and again told me she believed it was a suspected miscarriage. They then gave me pain relief and sent me home.”

However, the following day her symptoms continued.

“On Sunday the pain and bleeding continued so I went back to the hospital. They had told me that if it gets worse I should return, and I did.”

“I was left sitting outside for three hours without pain relief. They then gave me pain medication and told me to wait for the doctor, which I did.”

The mother says she was once again advised that she was likely miscarrying.

“The doctor then came and I told her what was going on. She also said it sounded like a miscarriage and to go home and let nature take its course and my body would naturally remove the baby.”

“She also told me I had a choice to take tablets to help the process if I wanted to progress the miscarriage.”

Despite the repeated advice, she continued to request a scan.

“I again asked for a scan. At this stage it was really impacting my mental health and I repeated that before anything was done I wanted a scan to see what was happening.”

“I had to fight and in the end the doctor said she could book me in for a scan on Monday 8 June. I told her there was no way I was waiting that long for a scan. I was being asked to wait two weeks to find out if my baby had died. She then booked me in for 2 June.”

The difficulties did not end there.

“When I arrived for my scan I was told that no scan had been booked in. I started to complain and eventually they sent another doctor to see me.”

“He also said it sounded like a miscarriage and that I could have the baby removed if I wanted. I kept repeating that I wanted a scan. I was then booked in at last for a scan.”

It was during that scan that the mother says she received news that contradicted everything she had previously been told.

“I finally got to have a scan and was told my baby was healthy and had a strong heartbeat.”

“I then saw the doctor and they said they were happy my baby was strong and that they must have made a mistake.”

“I then asked why I was bleeding and they didn’t know and said it must be an infection.”

The mother says support came from an unexpected source while she was waiting in the department.

“As I sat outside, another mum heard what I was going through and told me that she had suffered the same and to ask for particular tablets that had really helped her.”

“When I saw the doctor I also asked for these tablets and the doctor was unhelpful and said they would reinforce my cervix but not stop the bleeding as I had been told they would.”

“Instead, they worked and actually did stop the bleeding.”

Now, the Rainham mother says she remains angry and disappointed by her experience.

“This is awful. I was told repeatedly that I was having a miscarriage only to learn my child is healthy.”

“I was also told that they do not do scans at the weekend, yet when I finally got my scan there were posters in the room saying they now do scans at weekends. What a joke.”

She added:

“The impact on your mental health and wellbeing is incredible. How many more mums are going through this?”

“The nurses were helpful, but these doctors were rude, had no empathy and no kindness. It is an awful department. I really do not want to ever go back there.”

The Havering Daily has approached Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Queen’s Hospital, for comment.

Nic Kane, Chief Nurse, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“We are sorry to hear this mum had a poor experience at our hospital. She was seen by an obstetrician on both occasions and had there been a serious risk of miscarriage, she would have been immediately admitted and scanned as part of further investigations.”

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