Miscarriage Health Care

[Anonymous]

I had a very negative experience at the downtown Capital Women's Care office yesterday and I was wondering if anyone else has ever had experienced something similar?

Last week, I began to lose my pregnancy at 6 weeks. When I realized something was wrong, I called for an appointment. My normal doctor was not available so they scheduled me in with another doctor the following day. During that visit, the doctor explained to me I could be miscarrying (which I already knew as I was bleeding very heavily) and that I needed blood tests. He explained that, if my first blood test showed pregnancy hormones, I would have to return the following week to do a follow up test. He informed me that I must call the following day after 1:30 to get my results. At the time, it struck me as odd that I had to call to get the results but I did as I was told. I was also amazed that my visit only took about five minutes and involved no physical exam. Also, at no point, did anyone point me towards any support resources for miscarrying moms or in any way acknowledge my loss.

When I called to get my results, I was informed that I did have relatively high levels of pregnancy hormones and that I needed to come in on Monday for tests. The nurse I spoke with said that the appointments were done on a drop in basis and I did not need an appointment.

I arrived at the office at about 9:50 on Monday morning and signed in, explaining to the receptionist I was there for labs and did not have an appointment per the nurse's instructions during my call for lab results. About 20 minutes later, she called me up for my insurance information and asked what kind of labs I was getting. I explained I was checking pregnancy levels to confirm a miscarriage. She said the wait was generally about 20 minutes for labs. At about 10:45 am, I went and checked with another receptionist how long I should expect to wait because people who had come in well after I arrived had seen the doctor and were leaving. Again, I had to explain I was having a miscarriage. She said that nurses pick up labs "when they have time" and someone would get to me eventually.

At about 11:00, a nurse called me back and asked me what kind of labs I needed because the doctor hadn't left a note saying what I needed. I explained again it was a miscarriage and she told me to sit down again and wait. Ten minutes later, she kind of popped out, grabbed me and dumped me in a line to have my blood drawn without asking me any questions about my physical or emotional health. Once I was called to the front of the line, I had to confirm to the lab tech I was having a miscarriage and that my pregnancy hormones needed to be checked.

After getting my blood drawn, I had to stand in line to check out at their check out desk, which is separate from reception. The staff there wanted to know if I need another appointment. And I said I didn't know and that I was there having labs for a miscarriage per the doctor's order. They wanted to know if I needed more labs. I said I did not know. Then, they wanted to know who I'd seen that day and I said just the lab guy. They couldn't figure out what to do with me so I ended up telling about 4 or 5 different administrators that I was there doing labs for a miscarriage until someone was finally like, "we'll have the doctor call you tomorrow."

At that point, I tried to explain to the staff how upsetting the whole visit had been. It was kind of hard because I was crying and they were looking at me like I was crazy. I was told that the reception staff often does not know why people are at the office that day. However, in my case, I told both receptionists that I was there with a miscarriage. Further, my wait time was not really my sole concern.

I did not get my point across very well but what I was trying to convey was that I felt the office handled my visit in an extremely insensitive fashion. I waited almost an hour and half in a room full of happy couples. I literally saw three couples go in to the treatment areas and come back happy and bouncy with their sonogram pictures. While I understand that an OBGYN's office will have pregnant women and they have every right to be happy, it seems a kindness on the part of the caregiver to provide grieving moms (i.e. those recovering from miscarriages or stillbirths) a quiet place to wait, especially if you plan to keep them waiting an hour and a half.

It also struck me as exceptionally cruel that I had to tell about 7 different people that I was having a miscarriage. At no point, did anyone in the office other than the lab tech who took my blood offer me any expression of sympathy or even ask how I was feeling physically. I'm clear on the fact that an OBGYN is not a therapist but I was appalled at how deeply uncared for I felt during this visit.

Anyway, the upshot of the visit was that I walked in feeling relatively together despite being positive I was miscarrying and I walked out crying and angry. If anyone has had a similar experience? If so, how did they handle it? Can anyone recommend a doctor they know is better in these circumstances? If I get pregnant again, I'm not sure I could face the prospect of having this office treat a potential miscarriage....

Thanks. V

[Anonymous]

OP - I cannot offer any assistance - but I am sooo very sorry that you had to go through all of that. That is not how they should have treated you. I hope you find a better OB.

[Anonymous]

I also had a less than good experience with a CWC group, similar circumstances, this summer I was 10 weeks, @ my 1st ultrasound, no heartbeat. The tech was brusque, they hid the photos from me not to upset me, the doc was clinical, but not warm, also told me I had to get bloodwork, could not get D&C right away, I am a physician, so when I collected my thoughts, I called back and arranged an earlier procedure with a different provider- an option the provider did not offer to me, despite requesting. I think they were competent medically, but not the most sensitive group. It's a long story. I switched to Band, Tyau, Lizardo, group @ CWC, they came highly recommended by a neonatologist friend @ holy cross, I am preg again and am having a totally dif experience, they are kind, sensitive, busy but well respected, and I trust them. Check them out.