I acknowledge the current challenges the NHS is facing, but there's no justification for the lack of respect and substandard care I encountered during my recent miscarriage experience.

On Thursday, November 10, 2022, I noticed bleeding, a worrisome sign at 11 weeks of pregnancy. I promptly called the maternity triage number seeking guidance. Unfortunately, the midwife on the line was unresponsive and unhelpful. Despite explaining my situation, she couldn't offer advice due to being under 18 weeks pregnant, instructing me to contact my doctor's surgery for a urine test to check for an infection. However, reaching my surgery proved impossible as the waiting time was indicated to be forty minutes.

Attempting other avenues, I tried reaching the midwife lead unit and another number from my maternity folder, but both were unresponsive. The antenatal centre was closed, leaving me frustrated. Eventually, I attempted contacting 111, but the line was busy, urging online usage, primarily for children within a specific age range.

In my frustration, I chose to visit A&E. To my dismay, a lengthy queue awaited me at the hospital door. After a considerable wait, I managed to check-in, stressing my high-risk status due to my age and pre-existing high blood pressure. However, at no point was I informed about an Early Pregnancy Unit. Moreover, I later questioned why my blood pressure medication wasn't changed to Labetalol 100mg, the recommended medication for pregnant women with high blood pressure, at my 9-week booking appointment.

The following day, as the bleeding intensified and I grew increasingly emotional, I contacted the scan department. They informed me that they hadn't received the ultrasound referral and directed me to the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU). At the EPU, I was informed they had received my referral but asked to leave and return later for an appointment. I insisted on waiting and was eventually accommodated.

During the EPU visit, it was discovered that my baby hadn't survived, indicating a missed miscarriage. I was presented with three options: natural release of the pregnancy, medical intervention using a pessary, or surgical removal of the foetus. Opting for a natural process, my maternity folder was taken away, which felt inconsiderate, given the news was still sinking in. Leaflets on miscarriage were provided, with paracetamol suggested for pain relief. I was instructed to conduct a pregnancy test in two weeks to check HCG. levels.

On November 12, the pain escalated significantly, and the paracetamol proved ineffective. I urgently contacted the EPU, but my call went unanswered. Subsequently, I experienced a panic attack and nearly passed out due to the severe pain. At this point, an ambulance was called, and I was rushed to the hospital.

Upon arrival, I was in immense pain and could barely walk. I was put on a drip of Sodium Chloride due to blood loss, and a doctor eventually administered Codeine, alleviating the pain. Subsequently, a gynaecologist confirmed the presence of foetal tissue causing complications. However, there were challenges in finding an appropriate examination space.

Despite the traumatic experience and minimal rest, I returned to the EPU for a rescan. The ultrasound indicated a natural release of the pregnancy, with only a small amount of foetal tissue remaining. Unfortunately, I encountered further frustration when informed that they had just received my voicemail from the previous day requesting additional pain relief.

Today, November 15, I received a call from a doctor at the EPU, stating that my consent form for the foetal tissue sample couldn't be located, necessitating a return to sign a new form. This situation infuriated me, worsened by the subsequent revelation that my hospital notes and consent form had been left unattended in A&E, raising concerns of a potential data protection breach.

We are in England, a developed nation, and women deserve respectful treatment, especially following such a traumatic event as a miscarriage.

I initiated this petition to prevent other women from enduring what I have experienced. The loss of my baby has been painful, but the ordeal I faced during my miscarriage was even more agonizing.

How many other women have endured similar experiences and remained silent? It's time for a change.

Women possess rights, emotions, and deserve to be heard.

I demand that hospitals provide enhanced support and counselling for women after a miscarriage. A woman undergoing a miscarriage should not be in an A&E department or on a maternity ward amidst mothers and their crying babies. There should be a specialised department with qualified staff understanding the process.