‘15 din mai andar zehar lekar ghum rahi thi’: Sambhavna Seth’s miscarriage reveals urgent need for IVF protocols to address women’s pain

She then revealed that she lost her child during the third month of her pregnancy and was unaware of it for 15 days. “Ap yeh soch lo ki teesre mahine mein scan mein mai chali gyai hoon, tab mujhe malum pada ki 15 din pehle hi khatam ho chuka tha sab kuch. Toh 15 din mai andar zehar lekar ghum rahi thi. Mujhe kuch bhi ho sakta tha. Or mai 15 din se bol rahi thi ki mere bahut dard ho raha hai. Or meri doctor bol rahi hai, ‘It’s your arthritis’ (Just think about it — I went for a scan in the third month, and that’s when I found out that everything had ended 15 days earlier. So for 15 days, I was walking around with poison inside me. Anything could have happened to me. And I had been saying for 15 days that I was in a lot of pain. But my doctor kept saying, ‘It’s your arthritis’),” she said.

After she contacted a doctor to address her arthritis concern, Sambhavna was told that her pain was hinting at a possible miscarriage. She added, “When it happened, they said, ‘But you have so many issues na Sambhavna, you already had arthritis, what to do. Yeah so, sorry.’ That wasn’t even a sorry, they said, ‘It’s unfortunate, will try next time’.”

Some ways fertility specialists can ensure that a patient’s pain or symptoms during early pregnancy are taken seriously

Dr Uthra R, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Dhee Hospital, tells indianexpress.com, “When patients present with pain or discomfort in early pregnancy, especially those undergoing IVF or with underlying health issues like arthritis, it’s critical that their concerns are not dismissed. Fertility specialists must take a multidisciplinary approach, involving rheumatologists, endocrinologists, or pain specialists when needed.”

One of the key principles we follow in reproductive medicine is “symptom-led care,” which means we treat the patient, not just the lab results. “If a patient says something feels off, we investigate further, even if early ultrasounds or hormone levels appear normal. Pain is subjective but significant,” she stresses. 

The doctor adds that maintaining open lines of communication, regular follow-ups, and a non-dismissive attitude are essential.

Systems or protocols to help detect missed miscarriages sooner

Currently, Dr Uthra says, IVF patients are closely monitored through early beta-hCG tracking and transvaginal ultrasounds around 6-7 weeks. However, missed miscarriages, where the embryo stops developing without immediate symptoms — can still be hard to detect early.

To improve patient safety, she recommends that clinics can implement “triage protocols where any report of unusual pain or bleeding prompts immediate in-person evaluation, not just remote reassurance.” Another potential step is the routine use of point-of-care ultrasound and more frequent serum markers beyond hCG, such as progesterone and inflammatory markers in high-risk patients.

“There is also room for better emotional support systems. Fertility clinics must ensure that patients are heard, their pain acknowledged, and that care is not purely protocol-driven but human-centered,” suggests the expert. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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