A woman has expressed feeling “traumatised” by the inadequate support she received following a miscarriage. Shelley Romaniuk, 33, discovered she had miscarried during a routine 12-week scan and felt abandoned by health services in her time of need.
Research indicates that trauma related to infertility is more prevalent than previously recognized. Many women are not provided with adequate mental health support. The Welsh government has mandated that fertility clinics must offer counseling opportunities before treatment begins, and those needing further assistance should seek referrals from their GP.
Shelley and her husband were excited to learn they were expecting their first child nine years ago. However, during the scan, they received devastating news:
“We went for the 12-week scan, and we were informed the baby had no heartbeat.”
After the scan, Shelley was placed in a room with only a leaflet for information and was left waiting until someone checked on them. Although she requested a surgical procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove the fetus, she was told there were no available appointments for a week.
“They basically said you can’t have it now; you have to go home and come back in a week.”
During this waiting period, Shelley experienced severe cramps and had to visit A&E. Tragically, she lost the baby naturally before her scheduled D&C appointment.
Shelley described the aftermath as deeply isolating:
“I was sent on my merry way, and there was zero support. I was depressed for a long time after that.”
After years of struggling to conceive naturally, Shelley and her husband sought private fertility treatment and are now expecting a baby girl soon. However, she believes that the lack of mental health support they received made the journey more challenging.
She stated:
“The trauma left from that missed miscarriage… stays with you.”
According to research conducted by Fertility Network UK and several universities, 41% of respondents diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after dealing with infertility highlighted inadequate emotional support as a significant issue.
Dr. Catherine Hill remarked on the importance of this research:
“Infertility-related trauma is very common, and it’s a silent trauma within our society.”
In Wales, many participants reported receiving only one session of counseling throughout their fertility journey—a number far too low to address their needs effectively. With long waits for fertility tests exacerbating their distress, it is vital to acknowledge that many individuals require better care that addresses both physical and emotional aspects of treatment.
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