Yesterday was my second OB appointment. I had been having some cramping and some back pain, so of course, I was worried. I worry a lot now. Once you experience the worst case scenario with pregnancy, you will worry with each pregnancy after. At least, that has been the case with me. And it is normal, or so I have been told.
My worry has subsided since giving birth to William though, and this pregnancy has not been nearly as nerve-wracking as his was....until yesterday.
My doctor here is a little "interesting." Granted, I have only seen him twice, but he really doesn't seem to care too much. My first appointment, he didn't even give me "the exam" that we all get to experience. He just asked me questions, interrupted me a lot, didn't really listen, did an ultrasound, to calm my fears and get a heartbeat (my request) and sent me on my way. He forgot me as soon as I walked out the door. I never saw him write anything down, and I have a history what most doctors would be writing down and asking about. I got the feeling that he wasn't listening, at all.
My appointment yesterday was similar. I told him that I thought I was anemic. I was anemic for a year, severely anemic for 6 months of that year. I have lost 35% of my blood before. Believe me, I know what it feels like, and I know I am anemic right now. He glanced at my chart from 5 weeks ago, and said, "your iron looks fine." uuummm, yes, I am sure it was 5 WEEKS AGO. A lot can happen in 5 weeks buddy. Especially in pregnancy.
He never measured me, or talked about my concerns with the cramping and back pain, but he did get a good strong heartbeat. And I did a HUGE sigh of relief. We scheduled my 18 week ultrasound, he moved my due date back 2 days to June 6th (for reasons unknown??), then he sent me on my merry way.
Move ahead three hours.
I got home from taking Mary to gymnastics (and running out of gas on 106...yup, that was fun), I went to the bathroom, and there it was. The very thing I have nightmares about now. The one thing that I dread finding. The culprit of my pregnancy fears. Blood, and lots of it. Enough to make me call for Ben.
I go into shock, Ben looks like he just saw a ghost, and time kind of just froze for a few minutes. Then we went into action mode. We found a sitter for Sam, packed the diaper bag, Ben forces me to eat dinner because I was previously starving (good man) and I call and call and call my doctor. The nurse says he will call back.
So we wait, and wait and wait. It was awful.
45 minutes later, yes...45 minutes later, the doctor calls. I told him what was going on. He tells me to go to the ER where he will order an ultrasound.
We go to the E.R. where they say there is no ultrasound ordered. So, we call the doctor again.
And we wait and wait and wait. The order never comes.
40 minutes later, we just check in to the ER, forget the ultrasound order, and I get into a room, and we wait, and wait and wait.
They decide to check me, and then do the ultrasound in the ER. They say they need to get a nurse and will be right back.
Then we wait and wait and wait. The thoughts going through my mind were nuts. Worry, stress, sad, hope, fear, prayers, lots of prayers, and so on. The nurse comes 30 minutes later and they do an exam.
Finally, we got the ultrasound. I thought my lungs were going to burst out of my chest with anxiety. And then there was a heartbeat. Major relief is the only word to describe it, but it doesn't even adequately describe what we felt. I was so relieved I got light headed. I knew we weren't out of the woods, but seeing the heartbeat made me not care about what may come next.
We saw our baby, and then the tech. went on to measure other things.
The results:
The baby is strong and fine, and a week and a 1/2 bigger than we thought. My due date was changed to May 28th. It went from June 4th to June 6th to May 28th in about 6 hours. My placenta is very low. It is not in the right place at the moment. The ER doctor said that it was placenta previa. Full placenta previa.
What to do:
According to the ER doctor: Lots of ultrasounds from here on out, monitoring my bleeding, and if the placenta doesn't move, I will have the baby c-section. Oh, and partial bed rest until the cramping and bleeding stop. This was the prognosis of the ER doctor. The doctor I trusted and that listened to me. The one I liked and felt was right.
Then he called my doctor (who was not even at the same hospital as me) and came back saying this:
"Um, your doctor says that this can be normal. He says not to worry, the placenta will most likely move. He feels no need to follow up with you. You will just see him again in 5 weeks at your scheduled appointment. You can go home, and live life like normal." There was no mention of why I could be bleeding and contracting, or what to do about it.
SERIOUSLY!!! I am all sorts of anxious and worried and looking for answers, and I just got two completely different opinions. Of course, my doctor's opinion overrides the ER doctor. Even if he didn't remember me from just a few hours ago.
Then we left. And here we are.
I cramped all night and didn't sleep well.
Maybe I am just being paranoid, but I spent the morning trying to find a new OB. I need a second opinion, and I feel that I need one soon. The soonest I can be seen by anyone is in a week and 1/2. I scheduled it.
So for now, I am just lying low, trying not to lift anything heavy or do anything that may cause more cramping and bleeding. I am not going to just "live life like normal." Obviously, something is not right, and I am going to be careful. And I guess I will just wait. And wait and wait.
I feel peace and I know that the baby is ok, but it sure would be nice to know exactly what is going on with me and why I have these symptoms. And I really would like to know sooner than 5 weeks from now. I think my doc. should at least have scheduled a follow up appointment in a few days or something.
Am I just being paranoid, or does anyone else out there find that a little odd?
This Is Where It All Begins
17 comments:
I am SO glad you are looking for a new OB! I've never had kids of my own and know little-to-nothing about pregnancy, but that seems way scary!
I would ABSOLUTELY get a new doctor. With your history and your current situation, you need someone who's got your back (and your baby!). Can you ask around for recommendations? Placenta previa is pretty serious!!
Oh man that is so rough! With my daughter I too had bleeding, going into shock etc, but my dr was wonderful with all of it. By then I was already on home health so he knew how serious it was, but the thing that helped me get through it all (after of course hearing the heartbeat and a kind ultrasound tech who gave me a printout in the ER even though it wasn't a normal thing) was how wonderful my dr was. He made sure I knew that he took what happened seriously and treated the rest of the pregnancy as such. I know you have a lot going on right now, but you NEED a new DR. With your history you don't need a crappy dr on top of it all! Good luck!
You totally need to get a new doc. Even before the ER scare, I was going to suggest a new doc for you. You aren't just another patient. YOu have special concerns that need to be addressed, and a history of such that puts you at high risk automatically.
Praying for you, and hope all is well. Bleeding with placenta previa is common, and bedrest is the first thing to do to ease that bleeding. Sometimes the placenta moves. Sometimes it doesn't. It's serious, and you need to be monitored. Best of luck. We love you.
Just like everyone has said you NEED a new Dr. I wouldn't just get another opinion I would switch Doctors. All of that sounds fishy to me and you know more that what he does at how your body feels. It's not like this is your first pregnancy and you don't know what your talking about. The best is to get recommendations from someone you trust. Take it easy and we will continue to pray for you and your baby.
I also say new doctor. With Blake, I had placenta previa. Dr. Weary did tell me that most of the time it moves, but to put myself on pelvic rest and restricted activity until it moves. I had routine ultrasounds every 3 weeks. My placenta never moved and I started bleeding and contracting at the beginning of October.I was than hospitalized, etc, etc and Blake came early. This is worse case, but Dr. Weary treated it the way the ER doctor recommended.
Yikes! Sounds scary. Glad you're on the hunt for a new doc. I would be too. Hope you can rest like your body needs and that all will be well. Let me know if you guys need anything.
So sorry Becky! Totally get a new doctor! We hope everything is OK. Love you guys!
Becky, I worked labor & delivery for about 4 years... You need a new doctor!
I know a great one at Riverton Hospital who is a great guy and will treat you like a person, not just another chart! His name is Dr. Ed England. Look him up! You should be able to get in soon. I've worked with him and I go to him.
Please let me know if you need anything! I'm just across the circle :-)
X O!
Get a new doctor! You need to be happy and comfortable with your doc. Love you... and good luck!!
Go get yourself a good doc--one you can trust and know will work with you the way you want/need. Hope everything turns out okay.
Ditch that OB.
There is NO reason to pay him for that kind of work.
Prayers for you and baby. I hope all is well!
I would be finding a new OB too! UG. When my sis-in-law was pregnant with her now little 8-month-old she had placenta previa (and had to deliver c-section); she was on moderate bed rest through the whole pregnancy (meaning to take it VERY easy during the day, stay off her feet as much as possible, no exercise, no lifting including no lifting her 2-year-old). Take it easy until you see that new doc!
I don't know which hospital you have chosen, but we delivered 3 out of 4 with Dr. Russell Smith at Alta View. Loved how he listened and was great about everything and also loved the hospital! I would definately be switching docs! With our 3rd, my placenta was low and eventually moved up out of the way, but I did have a few extra ultrasounds to watch it closely. The placenta previa can cause the bleeding and it's wise to take it easy until you know that it's moved up out of the way, and the bleeding has stopped. Seriously, Dr. Smith is great and he WILL listen to you and address your concerns! And, their office staff is great and they have a fantastic nurse ready to answer questions every time you call. And on the weekends you can still get a hold of the doc on call. Their office number is 801-571-7777.
I think you are so so so so right. You can never be too careful with a baby, and it's so important to have a good relationship with your doctor. I know what it can be like there in Utah. It's baby land and I think a lot of the doctors are over-loaded, but I also know there are good ones too, so don't give up. I would keep looking until you find what you want! That's just crazy and like you said, everything wass not ok, it should have been obvious to your doctor. You're in our prayers.
Definitely get a new doc! Ask around your ward and get a recommendation. That is just craziness (and your OB seems to be looking for a law suit!)
As with everyone else, I agree. A new doc is a must! But, also remember that I am related to a fantastic OB and can put in a call to him for advice at anytime of the day. I have done it many times both for myself and for friends. So, let me know when things are worrying you and I can get you fast answers from an amazing doctor.
Post a Comment