OUCH
I ended up in an unfortunate situation a good ten years ago. After a 'break' from my partner for his infidelity, I had a romp with another young man and ended up pregnant.
I already had a gorgeous child but it was a very wrong time to have another.
As I was just about to move away and start university I decided to have a termination. Abortion. I don't really like the medical term.
I didn't tell anyone except the dad and a few friends, one of whom was kind enough to take me into our local NHS hospital.
Afterwards, I was placed in a ward to recover with 5 other beds with girls of varying ages. After about an hour they started moving and getting ready to go.

I, however, was clutching my tummy and wondering why the pain was so bad.
I called a nurse over, and told her I was in pain. She looked me up and down, I was 25 at the time so no little kid, and said patronisingly, "It's just normal pain, get yourself up and home and you will be OK"

An hour or so later. I was the only one on the ward.
I was grabbing hold of the bars of the headboard to stop me from screaming, and writhing around in pain.
She came in again. "come on now, it can't be that bad, can I call someone to come and pick you up?" She was exasperated.

I explained my friends details were on my admission sheet but that I was in a lot of pain.
She walked off and left me.

I don't know how long I was there but the pain was excruciating. I was alone. They looked through the door at me from time to time, and talked about me, but no one came.

I have never been so frightened in my life.

Eventually my friend arrived. She took one look at me and I burst into tears. I was in agony and could barely breathe. My bedsheets were soaked in sweat.
She went to get the nurse. She took 10 minutes to come. Then she wafted in, very busy, very stressed and very angry at me taking up her time.
My friend explained how she thought I wasn't right.
She pulled back the bedsheets and pressed hard against my tummy.

I screamed and nearly passed out.

She panicked...and finally paid me some attention.
Within 10 minutes I was rushed to ultrasound.

The doctor had the wrong notes that said my womb was twisted. He adapted the procedure and in the process punctured the wall of my womb.
It was only as they had fitted an IUD at the same time, that had made its way into the hole, that I felt any pain.

It saved my life.
If I had walked out of the hospital I probably would have died.

Instead my friend had to go and tell my mum I was in hospital, and I ended up having major abdominal surgery through the night that could have ended in hysterectomy.
Luckily it didn't.

Just a huge scar and the painful memory of seeing my mum sat by my bedside crying as I came around after surgery.
I also had an apology from a very sorry abortionist who told me I would never be able to have children again.

Again he was wrong. I can.
I am still a big supporter of the NHS. Mistakes happen. Sadly they happened to me. But I survived and they have helped my family and friends on numerous occasions.
Sensitivity of any staff in any situation is based on time pressure, targets and just god damn crappy working conditions.
Support your NHS. So they can support you.
( Herb Alpert's Taxi Driver I have very beautiful lips, Tue 16 Mar 2010, 22:59, Reply)