Mother who suffered miscarriage was left to wait for NINE HOURS by docs – and even forced to sit next to new mums and their babies
Laura Percival discovered she had miscarried during her 12-week scan
A DISTRESSED mother who had suffered a miscarriage was left to wait for NINE HOURS by docs - including spending time in sight of new parents welcoming their babies to the world.
Laura Percival was given the devastating news that her child’s heart had stopped beating during her 12-week scan and over the next few days spent hours waiting for further treatment.
The upset 27-year-old single mum then spent a distressing few days in and out of hospital after a pessary procedure failed and she required surgery.
Marketing manager Laura said: "They did the scan and said there was no heartbeat.
"I will always remember the crushing feeling in my chest, the confusion of all the what ifs and whys, the tears and most of all the guilt.
"That day will stay in my mind forever."
She said that following the scan she was left within sight of a maternity ward where she could see a woman having contractions.
Laura added: "To my left there was a young couple wheeling a newborn baby around in a plastic cot and talking to a nurse.
"I just thought this is not okay, I was really upset and I cried to my sister in front of my son. No woman should have to go through that."
Laura, who has launched a petition calling for more compassion around miscarriages, said she was also taken through the maternity ward on her way to surgery.
After discovering she had miscarried Laura said she waited for three hours before being told she would need to return the next day for the pessary procedure.
When she returned to Croydon University Hospital, south London, in early September she said she was forced to wait for a further six hours in a room by herself for the pessary, which failed.
The distraught mum-of-one passed a blood clot the size of an orange before doctors said she would need surgery.
She described the experience as the “hardest thing she has ever had to go through”.
She said: "When you have a miscarriage they give you an information sheet but it wasn't very helpful and I didn't know what was going on."
Laura, from Croydon, lodged a complaint with the hospital, which has since apologised.
She said: "It just felt like a whirlwind that didn't need to be as stressful as it was, and when I was left outside watching all of these mums wheel their babies around, my heart just sank and it felt truly awful.
"I got back after that scan and cried for the first time in front of my three-year-old. No mum should have to do that.
"It was just poor management, when speaking to nurses they said that there wasn't enough staff and they were stretched beyond their means.
"I could see that, but it is no excuse for the way I was treated."
A spokesperson for Croydon University Hospital said: "We were very sorry to hear about Laura's experience and have apologised sincerely to her for the distress she has experienced.
"We take our duty to provide care and support to all of our patients very seriously and her complaint is being thoroughly investigated."
The dad of a stillborn son has spoken about using his heartbreak to help others who suffer a miscarriage.
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