Thinking about calling the dr today...

nothingbuthappy · January 2012

I hate that it's a holiday! If they were in the office, I would call, but to interrupt their day off for what is probably nothing makes me hesitant.

Back story is that I had HELLP syndrome with my first. Seven years later I'm pregnant again with my second. That first pregnancy wasn't great and the L&D was nothing short of traumatic (the whole story could take 20 min to tell, but suffice it to say that I delivered under general anesthesia with a calculated 7% chance of my living to tell the story).

I'm with a new practice this time, after having moved. They know my history of course, but seem to be really relaxed about it while I'm growing more nervous as I get closer to my due date. It is what it is and it's probably a good thing that they are relaxed! I just feel like I keep having signs/symptoms crop up and the anxiety it's causing me...is it worth it to keep the baby in place for another 10 days until my section?

I started having pedal edema out of NOWHERE. Like fine at one and at two my feet/ankles were totally BALLOONED. They had me come in, checked my BP and my urine, told me it was normal swelling and sent me home. Fine :-)

They have me monitoring my BP daily and it's been consistently in the 100/60 range - yesterday it went to 120/90, which isn't high but it IS high for me and I believe that when the diastolic hits 90 or higher they typically want to know (they being Obs, but with my practice being so relaxed I'm not sure they feel they need to know about this).

I also started having some serious right upper quandrant pain yesterday. This is how it started (physically) with my first delivery and eventual HELLP diagnosis...BUT with my first the pain came and stayed. This time the pain comes and goes. It can last for anywhere from 10 min to over an hour. Again, the pain is intense, but with it coming/going I'm not sure if it warrants a phone call. I only had it once today and four times yesterday.

I also have that feeling of general malaise - just fatigued, tired to the bone, laying around, not even really up for a conversation. Kind of like being sick, but without the sick part.

And, also, as with my first my platelets have been dropping (which is what got me anxious in the first place - it all started coming back to me). They aren't dangerously low as of now, but they did go from nearly 200k down to 130k and a week later down to 120k.

Typically HELLP starts with protein in the urine and high BP (like preeclampsia) and progresses from there. With my first it started with the thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and went on to the epigastric pain and THEN the high BP and proteinuria.

Anyway, I'm going in on Wednesday and just talked your ears off (SORRY!)...I think I'll call if the pain strikes again. It would upset me to call and be poo-poo'ed, and again I don't feel that I HAVE TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, so being that they're off today I think they'll just tell me to keep an eye on things and call again tomorrow if anything worsens.

Wishing I had a window to look inside and see if all is well...or that I could take a Xanax and calm my brain!!

Should I add that I have done NOTHING to prepare for this baby, aside from get pregnant?

KitKat83 · January 2012

Can you call labour and delivery? I had to go in late last night because I didn't feel baby move all day and they were fully staffed with nurses who hooked me up to the monitor right away. I know how you feel though, I'm not the kind to freak out and go to the hospital either. Two months ago I got electrocuted and fell of a ladder and wasn't overly worried about it, but yesterday's lack of any movement for 5-6 hours scared the crap out of me! There were so many other moms in there worried about one thing or another (it was 1am), so that made me feel better about it, and the nurses said "better to come in and have it checked out than to be sorry you didn't".

I can't believe they'd be relaxed about HELLP, I know another girl who almost died from that 2 years ago, the baby was in distress and they were to scared to do a c-section on her because they thought she'd bleed to death. It was, and still is traumatic to her.

Don't feel bad about calling on a holiday, if it puts your mind at ease, its definitely worth it in my opinion!! Doctor's don't usually expect to work banker's hours anyway. Good luck!

mylove2005 · January 2012

I would call them or l&d It can't hurt that's why they are there or have these services stressing out is not going to help the problem. This way you can put your mind at ease

N&G 5_26_07 · January 2012

I think with your history, I would call. I would be sure to take every precaution.

Why haven't you done anything to prepare for this baby?!? With or without health concerns, he or she will be arriving in a few weeks.

talitha712 · January 2012

I would call. That's why doctors have an on-call number. At least my doctor/practice has always been great and patient when I've called (3 times total). And at my appointment last week my doctor made sure to tell me to call whenever I felt that I needed to, regardless if it was during office hours or not.

Huahine · January 2012

I regularly side-eye women on the boards who call their doctor every time they burp or fart or have the littlest twinge. But given your history, and the very real risks associated with your condition, I wouldn't hesitate to call and get checked out.

Good luck, and please let us know what you decide to do.

RNmommyof2 · January 2012

I would absolutely call or just plain go in to L&D.

rnkrs10 · January 2012

I would call. That's why they have an on-call. Especially with your history, and I def would not feel bad about calling. Better to be safe then sorry.

star173 · January 2012

Oh, that is scary....of course your last delivery experience will affect this one. I think it's good that they're relaxed, but I wish they'd be a little more proactive for your sake.

I think if you feel like you should call, then call them, or the L&D department of the hospital. Good luck, and try to relax (eaiser said than done, I know!)

princessb44@hotmail.com · January 2012

The OB on call for your practice is probably at the hospital anyway doing a delivery or whatever. Don't feel bad. That is what they r there for. And maybe they will tell you to wait and see and that ok.

nothingbuthappy · January 2012

The pain subsided greatly, so I held off on calling until today. They had me head right over and did the usual urine, weight, BP and then did my 37wk appt while I was there, including a nonstress test, since I was scheduled for it tomorrow anyway. All is well :-) Thank you for your input!

My ob said that the original pain I was having was the tearing of ligaments and this new, sharp, stabbing pain is the baby tearing a muscle. Greatttt... So, nothing I can do but grin & bear it. Nine days to go!

As to why I haven't done anything to prepare for this baby yet...maybe I'm being a little dramatic with that (although maybe not! Lol). I'm pretty laid back with things and while I had my daughter's nursery ready to go by 30-something weeks, with everything just so, I realize that it's all for naught. This time around I'm 7 yrs older (and believe me when I tell you that pregnancy really does get a lot harder as you get older!) and have a 6 1/2 yr old to keep up with, had the holidays to contend with, etc. We have everything we need, it's just all still in boxes and in need of assembly and organization. In my mind and from my experience I know that all we'll need when I get home are clean clothes/blankets/etc and the Pack N Play. The PNP can be set up in 10 minutes, the clothes/blankets/etc have all been washed (as of Sun & Mon) and from there I can roll with it. Nothing I'm stressed about at all!

Thanks again ladies!!!

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