Incomplete miscarriage procedure causes distressing Asherman's syndrome

Asherman's, often a result of surgery, sees scar tissue forming inside the uterus which causes extreme pelvic pain, little or no periods and infertility. 

Amy* was under the care of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust when she was told she had experienced a missed miscarriage shortly before her routine 12 week antenatal scan.

Shocked and upset by the news, she agreed to a surgical procedure to remove the pregnancy. She was told by a nurse that in her case an MVA was preferable to the other options of waiting for a miscarriage to occur naturally or taking medication to induce it.

After the surgery she continued to test positive for pregnancy and had extreme abdominal pain and cramping. A scan carried out at Luton and Dunstable Hospital nearly six weeks after she had the surgery revealed that products of conception were still in her uterus.

Amy was "distraught" when she was told that a second surgery was needed to remove the remains. She wasn't told about alternative options and was reassured that the procedure would be quick and was very low risk.

No camera was used during the procedure and despite it being excessively aggressive, products of conception remained. Amy should not have had the two surgeries so closely together as it increased the risk of damage.

She woke with excruciating pain and cramping in her uterus, which made her lightheaded and dizzy. Following discharge, the pain and cramping continued and after several visits to NHS clinics she paid to be seen privately. The consultant found that part of Amy's uterus was "obliterated" and there were extensive, dense adhesions consistent with severe Asherman's syndrome.

Amy and her partner were desperate to start a family and made the decision to pay for several rounds of private IVF treatment and after they now have two children.

She also underwent extensive private surgery to remove the lesions in her uterus but still suffers pelvic pain and her chances of having more children are low.

Following her experience with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Amy developed a depressive disorder and although her mental health improved significantly once she became a mother, the condition persists.

She had a successful career as a contractor for a government organisation and before she developed Asherman's had planned to make the lucrative move into the private sector. Her illness and subsequent fertility treatment meant that these plans could not be realised.

Before turning to Fieldfisher Amy had her case turned down by several other firms, but Claire took her case on and secured a settlement of £125,000 for her ordeal.

Of this, £50,000 recognised the impact the negligence had on Amy's income and future earnings. The settlement will also cover the costly IVF cycles and the psychological treatment she may need.  

*name changed

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For further information about surgery negligence compensation claims and medical negligence claims, please call Claire Horton on 0330 460 6748 or email Claire.Horton@fieldfisher.com.

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