I started bleeding on the fri. before I had the baby on monday. I won't heavey. The clinic told me not to worry unless I was using more than one pad in a hours time, or cramping. I was barely filling up a pantie liner. I went to the emergency room on Sunday and sat for two hours (I put on the sheet, pregnant and bleeding) before a doctor came out and talked to my mother. He said the samething the clinic say. I sarted having contractions monday early morning and had and lost my child.

Personally, I have no idea how that particular system works (in terms of how you get assigned to doctors, what you're paying, how much prenatal care is available and how much finding it is up to the patient, how malpractice is or isn't applicable, etc.), so if that was the case, I'd suggest you talk to someone in legal aid who knows those channels.

Not knowing more specifics about your medical history, it's hard to say what the miscarriage was due to -- HPV and a biopsy all by itself doesn't have to create a high risk situation, nor to my knowledge does either mean a woman will be more inclined to premature labor and birth (but your age, nutrition levels, gen. health, genetic issues all may). However, it seems to me that the quality of care you've been receiving throughout is certainly questionable.

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Heather Corinna
Editor and Founder, Scarleteen

While it's really wonderful that all the medical services for free for Service members and their families, the level of treatment can be lacking if you don't watch out for yourself.

Which clinic were you going to? A general clinic, your family doctor, adolescent medicine, the Well Woman clinic? My experiences with general clinics weren't half as good (for example the doctors weren't as friendly) as with the Well Woman clinic, where the doctors and nurses there were very good and I'd say especially caring about younger patients. Same for adolescent medicine. There are a lot of little loopholes and fine print in the system, such as you need a parent with you if you are under 18 for an appointment at family practice but not at adolescent medicine.

And stuff can definitely go wrong, as at any hospital. I know of a woman who was misdiagnosised and given the wrong medicine for an ear infection that actually made her go deaf. I went in one time with wrenching neck pain to only to be given Tylenol, only to later go back to the emergency room to learn I had a pinced nerve/muscle spasm and get a shot of Valium (or something really strong like that) as well as a prescription for a neckbrace and more medicine.

My point is that you really have to watch out for yourself and make sure you're getting what you need. You can't always choose your doctor but you can ask for a referal or go back and ask for a different doctor if you didn't like their attitude or level of service– this includes ob/gyn. You have to polite but incredibly firm with multiple follow-ups, if necessary.

I'm figuring you are a dependent (?), which means you probably have access to free military lawyers as well. You may not feel comfortable consulting them considering this all happened in a military hospital, but at least they'd give you some more insight on the fine print rules. And of course a civillian lawyer would also be an option.

So, I don't mean to sound like I'm saying it's your fault because it's not but rather that in the future you need to fight for a good level of service sometimes. Also, having your sponsor come in with you because they can help make sure you get the service you deserve, especially if you feel you aren't being taken very seriously by the health care personel.