A mother from Aberdeen has lodged a complaint against NHS Grampian after suffering a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy.
After experiencing the worst pain of her life, Bobbie Jackson waited 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.
The mother-of-three screamed in agony but says her pleas that she was bleeding internally were initially dismissed.
Speaking with STV News, Bobbie said: ”I couldn’t breathe, I’m crying. I’m actually scared I’m going to die at this point. I’m obviously bleeding internally and there is nothing I can do about it.”
In January, it was confirmed that Bobbie had an ectopic pregnancy and was given treatment to help prevent a rupture in her fallopian tube.
Once admitted to hospital, she was certain it had burst and was afraid for her life.
”At the point, I was just ready to accept that I was going to die because there was nothing else, I could do.
“I couldn’t make them give me a scan, I couldn’t make them take me to theatre, I couldn’t ask for stronger painkillers,’’ Bobbie said.
After spending a few days in hospital, Bobbie was set for discharge, but she then began suffering excruciating pain again. It was then that she was given another scan and a rupture on her left fallopian tube was discovered.
After this, she was given life-saving surgery where half a litre of blood was discovered.
”I was so scared. I have a fear of operations anyway’’, Bobbie said.
‘‘I was scared going into the operation that I was going to die from what was happening to me.
“My kids were at home, and I hadn’t seen my kids since the Tuesday evening before I got taken to hospital and I only spoke to them on the phone.”
Ectopic pregnancy affects one in 80 and can at times, be a life-threatening condition.
It takes place when the fertilised egg becomes caught or delayed while progressing through the fallopian tube. On average three deaths occur every year in the UK and in Ireland.
Bobbie has since lodged an official complaint against the health service stating that she doesn’t believe her initial concerns were listened to.
An NHS Grampian spokesperson said: “Ms Jackson raised a number of complex matters in her complaint and we are investigating these thoroughly. Once this is complete, we will respond directly to her.
“We strive to offer the best care to everyone in Grampian and take all complaints extremely seriously. Anyone with concerns is encouraged to raise these directly with us, via our Feedback service.”
Bobbie is now raising awareness about ectopic pregnancies and wants more information to become readily available to support women if they should ever need it.
She has launched a JustGiving page in aid of Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and will be walking up Oxen Craig to raise funds.
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