"In safe hands, even on the hardest day"

In July 2025, my husband and I discovered I was pregnant for the third time. Sadly, it would also become my third pregnancy loss. Both of my two previous losses had both been ectopic pregnancies, the most recent in January 2025 when I lost a fallopian tube due to a life-threatening rupture. Therefore we came into this pregnancy with real worry, and from the beginning, there was a strong suspicion that this pregnancy might also be ectopic.

When I was seen at the Early Pregnancy Unit, the nurses and the sonographer met us with calm professionalism and genuine compassion. The scan itself was tricky as fallopian tubes are not easily visible, and identifying an ectopic pregnancy requires significant skill and experience. The sonographer and senior nurse attending demonstrated just that. Their expertise was clear, and they were able to identify the ectopic pregnancy quickly and confidently. Just as importantly, they delivered the news with a great deal of sensitivity. There was no rush, no clinical coldness, just clarity, gentleness, and respect for what this moment meant for us. I will never forget the nurse holding my hand, and her kindness.

Because of my history, the consultants were alerted straight away. It was clear that I would need another emergency surgery to remove my remaining fallopian tube - an operation that would also mean the loss of my natural fertility. Despite the gravity of the situation, everything moved with remarkable efficiency. The coordination between teams was seamless, and within a couple of hours I was in surgery.

What stands out most to us though is the human care. It felt like every nurse who passed through made a point of stopping, acknowledging our loss, and offering their sympathy. The senior nurse who had been there during the scan came back to see us, offered a hug, and gave us a small hygiene bag kept specifically for moments like this - a simple thing that meant so much.

Despite the worry and sadness, the environment felt safe, warm, and deeply reassuring. This mattered more than I can express. Because ectopic pregnancies are dangerous and difficult to detect, the decision to proceed with surgery is never taken lightly. Knowing I was in the hands of a team that were so excellent but who also showed such humanity made an unbearable experience feel survivable.

Before surgery the nurses and surgical team explained everything clearly, answered questions patiently, and even managed to keep me smiling as I was taken down - something I will never forget. Their reassurance, humour and kindness stayed with me through a very frightening time in my life.

Although this experience meant a profound loss for us, it was shaped by exceptional care. We are endlessly grateful for the professionalism, organisation, empathy and skill of the nurses in the Early Pregnancy Unit, the gynaecology consultants and the surgeons who looked after us. This hospital did not just treat a medical emergency, it cared for us as people, at one of the hardest moments we will ever face.

Thank you Royal Surrey for everything you did, and for the extraordinary standard of care you provide every day.