"Total lack of empathy and no respect for free will"

About: Victoria Hospital / Early Pregnancy Assessment Service

(as the patient),

At 7 and a half weeks of pregnancy I had an ultrasound abroad where it was detected that the embryo was measuring a week behind and the heartbeat was slow. Two days later, I attended the Emergency Service (also abroad) where two OB/GYNs confirmed that there was no heartbeat and I was experiencing a missed miscarriage.

 I called the Early Pregnancy Unit at Victoria Hospital and was given an appointment for a scan on my return. It was confirmed, again, that there was no heartbeat and that the embryo stopped growing over 2 weeks ago. Well, I have been told I have to wait another week to have a further ultrasound to confirm because they cannot go with non-NHS ultrasound. This is the cruelest situation I have ever encountered and the lack of empathy of the midwife/nurse, refusing to explore any other options was appalling.

I explained that I didn't want to wait another week with a dead embryo inside, that we had no family support, that my husband did not drive, that we had two small kids and that I was very prone to heavy bleeding. Nothing. I asked if I could terminate myself and was told that would need to be referred and wait 3 weeks.

I was told that these are the NHS procedures, but where is my free will??? My previous ultrasounds are not from a high-street clinic but from the Spanish NHS, signed by the chief OB/GYN of the hospital. I don´t want to carry on another week with ramping pregnancy symptoms and a dead baby inside and I don´t want to be left to bleed in front of my kids. They mentioned I could call an ambulance if that happens. Is there anything more cruel than that? Not to mention that my husband is not English and would have enormous difficulty in talking in English in such a stressful situation. Is my 7 year old daughter supposed to call the ambulance then? I have not been given the choice to speak myself with a consultant and have my situation discussed.

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Responses

Response from Claire Massey, Clinical Nurse Manager, Gynaecology, NHS Fife 8 hours ago
Claire Massey
Clinical Nurse Manager, Gynaecology,
NHS Fife
Submitted on 30/04/2025 at 09:45
Published on Care Opinion at 09:45


picture of Claire Massey

Dear Fife67,

Thank you for reaching out, I am so sorry for your loss and that you have found yourself in such a difficult situation. My name is Claire, I am the Clinical Nurse Manager for Gynaecology. I would like to support you, please call me on 01592 729940 or email me at claire.massey@nhs.scot to allow us to discuss the matter further.

Kind regards, Claire Massey

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