Venting: Took a trip to L&D tonight (don't be alarmed baby and I are fine)

LoveIsAll25 · February 2014

I woke up this morning throwing up everything I had for dinner. Then I threw up what I had for breakfast. I then threw up what I had for lunch. My mother, husband and I had planned to visit a Wal-Mart Super Center (about 1 hour away from my house) today. Although I wasn't feeling well I figured I was going to get better like I usually do. My exact words where "hey throwing up is part of pregnancy."

On my way to Wal-Mart my hands and feet started feeling numb and tingly. My stomach was also feeling really tight. I was having back pains on and off.

I decided to use the electric scooter at Wal-Mart just in case I fainted. I started feeling worse so we decided to leave. On the way home my DH tells me I should go to the hospital. He knows I usually never complain about my pregnancy symptoms and said "its better to be safe than sorry". The hospital where I am delivering is on the way home and plus my midwives practice are located inside the hospital. They also have a nurse in the l&d floor every night so I knew one of them was going to take a look at me.

When I got there the nurses immediatly told me I was right to come in and monitored me to see if I was having any contractions. They also took a sample of my urine but told me they wouldn't have the results until the next day.

When the on call midwife came in to see me she immediately looked unhappy. I explained to her my symptoms and these were her response.

MW: Why would you go to Wal-Mart if you were throwing up?

ME: I usually throw up but always end up feeling better. I thought it was a normal part of pregnancy. I made sure to stay hydrated and tried to eat meals. That's what I did in my last pregnancy and would feel better a few hours later.

MW: You didn't have to come here. All you have is a stomach bug. Do you know anyone who has the stomach bug.

ME: No.

MW: Well you got lucky.

MW: The numbness and tingling in your hands are caused by carpal tunnel. This is normal during pregnancy.

ME: Oh? I didn't know pregnancy can cause carpal tunnel.

MW: Yes pregnant women retain fluid so it causes you to get carpal tunnel.

ME: Carpal tunnel causes numbness in your feet as well?

MW: No. You have been throwing up all day and are most likely dehydrated. Which is causing weakness and numbness in your feet and body. YOU NEED TO KEEP FOOD DOWN. DRINK WATER GATORADE. DRINKS WITH ELECTROLYTES. DON'T WALK AROUND. STAY IN BED UNTIL YOU FEEL BETTER.

ME: Ok thank you. I am glad what I am feeling is a normal part of pregnancy.

The nurse then comes in a few minutes later and tells me I was right to come in and she is glad everything I was feeling is normal. She asked me if I wanted to stay an hour more to rest and maybe eat something from the cafeteria. I declined and thanked her.

My DH was in the room with me the entire time so he heard the conversation between me and the MW. As soon as we got to the car he asked me "Why was she mad? You didn't know you had carpal tunnel or a stomach bug. She was in the hospital and plus she spent less then 5 minutes with you so you really weren't an inconvenience."

I walked out of there feeling stupid and humiliated. The practice I visit has 5 rotating MW. They are all extremely friendly. The one that I saw today usually has a dry personality but I never took offense to it. I am concerned about the day I deliver this baby. I can't pick who will be with me in the delivery room since it depends on whom ever is on call. Which is why they have you meet all the midwives. I honestly am terrified I will have her with me in the delivery room. I am attempting a VBAC. I switched from my previous OB because I heard so many great things from these midwives and now I am terrified that she will be with me that day.

I can't possibly switch to another practice this late in pregnancy. I am hoping the odds are forever in my favor and she won't be the midwives helping me deliver. I mean there's only a 25% chance its going to be her.

Wish me luck!

Xath · February 2014

You were right to go to the hospital. There was no way for you to have known that what you had was a combination of things that may/may not be common in pregnancy, and it was inconsiderate of your MW to phrase it that way.

FX that everything works out the way you want, but FWIW a friend of mine delivered and ended up with the one OB at her practice that she hated, and she said that the woman was amazing in the delivery room; she got all of the joy from her work out of delivering babies and was a dream to be with, even though she had been sub-par for the rest of the OB visits.

I hope you feel better, and keep an eye on your symptoms because sometimes infections/viruses/dehydration can trigger PTL symptoms. Don't let her intimidating manner stop you from going back to the hospital if things change or get worse.

lauralou3x3 · February 2014

I would have gone as well! Good thing it wasn't anything too serious! I really hate when nurses/doctors act like that. I've ran across a few myself. But you were 100% right in checking to make sure you and babe were fine! Don't feel humiliated!

CamrynnsMommy · February 2014

Eww, I'm sorry she was such a shrew to you. That's ridiculous. I think you were right to go in.

As far as the MW possibly being there for delivery; it's not too late to change, it's inconvenient, but better than dealing with her while giving birth. However, if you enjoy the other MWs within the practice and would rather not change, then I guess the odds are in your favor.

kshampeny · February 2014

You were absolutely right to go to the hospital. I was feeling crappy the other day and finally went to L&D and was having contractions 3-4 min. apart. And my symptoms weren't nearly as severe as throwing up or having numbness in my hands and feet! Those are all signs that everything I've read says you should go to the hospital if you have them. I can't believe she was mad at you. Every on call doc I've seen (and there have been 4 of them now) has absolutely been nice, glad that I came in, and told me it is better to be safe than sorry. I will keep my FX for you that you don't end up with her if you decide to stay with that practice.

whitneymarie003 · February 2014

You didn't do anything wrong at all. I'm sorry she wasn't nice or helpful. No one should make you feel that way, especially when you're just concerned about the well-being of your baby! I certainly wouldn't want her in the room with me during delivery. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen!

TaylorHam86 · February 2014

She sounds like a real peach. Hopefully she was just having a bad day, but that still doesn't excuse the way she treated you. Hopefully you won't have to deal with her again, especially on D Day. You were absolutely right to go in! Hope you feel better and FX she'll stay out of the picture!

Allibob · February 2014

I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but I'm glad you went in to get checked. Hope you're feeling better now.

Helmink0804 · February 2014

Wow, sorry you got such a bitch of a MW. Glad you just have the stomach and everything else is fine with you and your LO. I would of gone in too if I was you!

momthatlifts · February 2014

wHat a bitch. Sorry but I think it's her job to make you feel as comfortable as possible. You were not stupid for going in not one bitch. If ? Y abdomen was tightening and I was getting back pains and numbness my husband would insist on taking me as well. *hugs* feel better.

lfleming84 · February 2014

Glad to hear that everything is okay. That would scare me and I would have gone in as well. I called my doctor's office last week about some minor/strange symptoms and they had me go to L&D. I felt silly going, but better safe than sorry. Being a FTM I don't know how to explain some symptoms and if the nurse told me to go, I figured I should. You were totally right to go and that is horrible for the nurse to make you feel bad for being there.

cnbean · February 2014

Sorry you had a crappy experience with the midwife. Just to give you some hope, there was only 1 midwife at my practice that I didn't like. She was very abrupt and kinda grouchy in my prenatal appointments and I prayed she wouldn't be the one on call when I went into labor. And of course she was. However as much as I wasn't comfortable with her and I didn't like her at all, she was amazing in labor and delivery. She really rocked that environment and I have no qualms about having her again. So hopefully, even if you end up with this midwife in labor, she will be great at that time.

Cupcakes89 · February 2014

Glad you are alright! Always do what you think is right, better safe then sorry!

Also I had no clue you can get carpel tunnel from being pregnant, thats a nifty thing to know

Jillzy86 · February 2014

You did the right thing. Don't feel bad just because that MW was having a bad day and took it out on you. I would express what you went threw to your usually MW and find out if this is common for that MW to have such poor bedside manor.

Bootsie327 · February 2014

I think making you feel humiliated for your concern is the exact opposite of what a midwife or OB should do. I would go to your practice and complain about your experience, and see if you can request that anyone but her deliver for you.