Woman Describes “Traumatising” Lack of Infertility Support

A woman has stated that inadequate care following a miscarriage left her “traumatised.” Shelley Romaniuk, 33, who had been trying to conceive for years, reported that she was informed of her miscarriage during her 12-week scan and subsequently received no support from health services. Studies indicate that trauma related to infertility is more prevalent than previously understood, with more than 60% of women reporting that elements of their care either caused or intensified their trauma. The Welsh government has stated that fertility clinics operating under the NHS in Wales are required to provide access to a counsellor before treatment commences, and individuals requiring additional assistance should seek a referral through their general practitioner. This article includes details that some readers might find upsetting. Nine years ago, Shelley and her husband discovered they were expecting their first child. They attended their routine scan unaware that they had already experienced a missed miscarriage, meaning the baby had already been lost. “We went for the 12-week scan, and we were informed the baby had no heartbeat.” She further explained, “After that scan we were just put into a room, given a leaflet and just left there until someone came in to ask what we wanted to do.” Shelley expressed her desire for a surgical procedure, specifically a dilation and curettage (D&C), to remove the baby. However, she was informed that this procedure could not be performed for a week due to a lack of available appointments. She recounted, “They basically said you can’t have it now, you have to go home and come back in a week and that was it.” She added, “There was no offer of support, no therapy, no counselling, and you’re walking away carrying your baby who’s no longer alive.” While awaiting the D&C procedure, Shelley began to experience cramps at home, prompting her to go to A&E. “I didn’t make it to the D&C, unfortunately I lost the baby naturally.” She continued, “But even after that, we went through the whole process, I was sent on my merry way and there was zero support.” She concluded, “I was depressed for a long time after that.” Following 12 years of grappling with infertility, Shelley and her husband opted for private fertility treatment. The couple is now anticipating the arrival of a baby girl within a few weeks. Nevertheless, Shelley is of the opinion that the absence of mental health support she received exacerbated the difficulty of conceiving. “We were asking for help continuously, but there was nothing,” she stated. She elaborated, “The trauma left from that missed miscarriage and how we were treated stays with you.” She added, “Even now going for scans it’s rough, it brings it all back.” She reflected, “Maybe if I had support to deal with that and move forward and process that trauma, maybe things would have been different.” A study conducted by Fertility Network UK, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and Queen’s University Belfast revealed that 41% of participants from across the UK received a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing infertility. Dr. Catherine Hill, representing the charity, commented: “This research is very important, because it confirms what people working in the fertility sector have suspected for a while, and that is that infertility-related trauma is very common, and it’s a silent trauma within our society.” Specifically in Wales, Dr. Hill noted that numerous respondents reported being offered only a single counselling session throughout their fertility journey. She remarked, “One session of counselling tends to not even scratch the surface, and many clinics offer more than that.” The study additionally identified that extended waiting periods for fertility tests and investigations in Wales contributed to individuals’ trauma. Dr. Sofia Gameiro, the lead researcher from Cardiff University, stated that the care provided to many participants during their fertility treatment either worsened existing trauma or, in some instances, initiated it. She explained, “While some respondents reported positive, skilful and compassionate care, it was clear that over 60% highlighted aspects of the care they received caused or amplified trauma.” These issues encompassed an absence of empathy or recognition of distressing experiences, contradictory advice, and unsupportive care when delivering unfavorable news. A spokesperson for the Welsh government acknowledged that infertility and the wait for treatment can considerably affect individuals’ mental health and wellbeing. They stated, “Two rounds of NHS IVF treatment are available to qualified patients, as per criteria set by the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee.” They added, “The committee ensures that specialised services provide robust, high-quality care which is safe for patients and cost effective for the NHS.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. 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