How do you know when to call the dr

locash · July 2010

Last night, I had a ton of pain that seemed to come out of no where. It was throughout my lower back and all through my lower abdomen. It was more than pulls and twinges - it felt more like someone was turning my insides. H was his usual concerned self and asked if we should call the doctor.

I've heard of RLP, but I wasn't sure if the small pulls and twinges were it or if this was it. I decided that I would call today if I wasn't feeling better. Luckily, I feel fine today.

I don't want to be that crazy person who calls the doctor for every twinge. But I also don't want to be that stubborn idiot who insisted it was nothing and it turned out to be a big deal.

So what's your rule of thumb on when to be concerned and when to think it's normal pregnancy stuff? I also think I'm going to ask at my next appt.

harleyjo · July 2010

Well for me, I haven't called the actual OB or Midwife, but have called the Nurses' Line at my clinic 3 times this pregnancy. I've called with anything abnormal or that makes me a little uneasy, and use their judgement to let me know when/if I should be getting hold of the Midwife. So, to answer, I'm using their knowledge of pregnancy problems to know when to call the Midwife.

[Deleted User] · July 2010

Rule of thumb - if you have a question or concern, CALL!! Wink They'll be able to tell you if you should be concerned or not, and hopefully calm you down & reassure you if it's all fine.

Good luck, that's sounds normaly-ish BUT a little scary!!

Fergie+1 · July 2010

My OB told me there's a multitude of pains and odd feelings that present during pregnancy- that being said, severe pain or pain accompanied by bleeding should definitely be called in. Harleyjo has a point about using the nurse line- you could call and speak to the NP at your practice and ask her; if she feels you need to be seen, she'll have you come in ASAP. They will always make room for someone with immediate needs.

Mt2G1012 · July 2010

I'd rather the nurses at the doc's office think I am that paranoid pregnant lady and call if I feel like something is not right than not call and something is wrong. Especially after that horrible post last week about the woman losing her baby.

I called around 20 weeks due to pretty bad cramping, no bleeding. I thought it was normal. After 2 days I gave in to DH and called. Turns out it was something and I had an infection. My doc's office is great and said no worries and to call whenever I am nervous or thing there is something wrong. I am a first time mom so it is all new and I don't know what to expect and they are very sympathetic to that. I also had major problems with her from 12-20 weeks we were concerned about, so I think I am extra paranoid.

locash · July 2010

Thanks. I still hate that it was after hours and I'm pretty sure they only have an answering service that automatically calls the dr on call. I hate the thought of bothering my doctor for something stupid. But I totally agree that it's better safe than sorry.

Mrs.Johns · July 2010

Normally, if that little voice in my head asks if maybe I should call then I call. I'll call the nurses line and then they'll decide if I should come in or not. I have called a few times over severe RLP just making sure that's all it was. They always say they'd rather have me call than end up in L&D on emergency.

I'm glad you are feeling better today!

Mrs.Johns · July 2010

locash:
Thanks. I still hate that it was after hours and I'm pretty sure they only have an answering service that automatically calls the dr on call. I hate the thought of bothering my doctor for something stupid. But I totally agree that it's better safe than sorry.

If it's at night then I normally try the drink a ton of water and lay down with my feet up trick. So far I haven't needed to call at night because usually the issue will go away on its own. It's just harder to do that at work so I will call to be sure while they are open.

locash · July 2010

Mrs.Johns:

If it's at night then I normally try the drink a ton of water and lay down with my feet up trick. So far I haven't needed to call at night because usually the issue will go away on its own. It's just harder to do that at work so I will call to be sure while they are open.

That's kind of what I was thinking last night. I figured it would ease up by this morning or wake me if it was something serious. I definitely feel differently about calling during the day.

Side note - how would you explain RLP? I think I had the idea that it was more discomfort rather than pain, but maybe I'm wrong on that.

MSC03 · July 2010

Call whenever you're concerned. Call when you have a question. Call whenever you want!

IMO, it's the crazy people who demand appointments when clearly nothing is wrong. But normal people ask questions.

Mrs.Johns · July 2010

locash:
That's kind of what I was thinking last night. I figured it would ease up by this morning or wake me if it was something serious. I definitely feel differently about calling during the day.
Side note - how would you explain RLP? I think I had the idea that it was more discomfort rather than pain, but maybe I'm wrong on that.

I have had all sorts of RLP. There's the quick jab after a laugh, cough, sneeze or pee. Then there's the baby growing full on ache that lasts for a day or a few and feels like your belly is sore. I had some last week where it hurt to sit for about an hour. It's all different or has been for me at least.

yourmom5309 · July 2010

kgorman:

Rule of thumb - if you have a question or concern, CALL!! They'll be able to tell you if you should be concerned or not, and hopefully calm you down & reassure you if it's all fine.

Agreed. Also, I think people worry too much about bugging the nurse or doctor. You pay those people. You are a customer (patient) and have every right to call if you have a concern or question.

quidditchcapn1120 · July 2010

My rule of thumb is, if I have to ask someone else whether or not to call, then I call. If it's enough of an issue to where you look to someone for advice, then I think it's worth it to call even if it's just to ease your mind. FWIW, I have called them 3x since being pregnant (once because I was cramping, once because I passed out for no reason seemingly, and once because of a weird blood test result). Two of the three times were on the weekend... I felt bad about it, but it is their job to be on call every once in a while. Coming from someone who also chose a profession where I will be on call (albeit not as much as an OB!), I would much rather a patient call me and I can ease their fears, pain, etc. than for them to stay up all night in pain or worry about it.

Goldiefrocks2 · July 2010

Call whenever you want. I had let pain go during my last pregnancy since there was no blood, listening to people on the bump say "Oh that's normal, as long as there's no blood". But when I finally went to labor and delivery at 30 weeks because the cramps didn't subside overnight, they found I was in preterm labor and had me there on an IV drip and on medicine to stop the contractions. I was having contractions that I couldn't even feel, 3 minutes apart. They kept showing me the printout and I didn't feel anything except the occasional painful cramp. It happened again at 34 weeks and I was put on bedrest. I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer but my cousin had a stillbirth at 8.5 months because she ignored the baby's lack of movement for about 12 hours. When she finally couldn't stand it anymore and went to the hospital at midnight it was too late. Of course people told her, "it's normal, babies don't move every day." but she wishes she would have just listened to her own intuition and gone anyway.

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