So today is Tuesday, but I don’t want to talk about today. I want to talk about Sunday.
Sunday I had lots of plans. Do some laundry, make some bread, clean up a little, enlist Nathan to do a bunch of stuff. You know, normal weekend stuff.
What I did not want to do was pass a small blood clot and bleed a little. Now in the interest of full disclosure, it wasn’t fresh blood, more of a browny sludge (you can thank me later).
So I did what any pregnant women does. I panicked a little, then I rang my hospital for advice. Said advice being, ‘We’re really sorry that you live an hour away, but we DO need to see you. Can you come in?’
And being Sunday, of course I could come in, because Nathan was home and Mum was available to watch Amy.
24 weeks and spotting.
One vaginal exam and an ultrasound later, they had no idea where the bleeding was coming from, or what might be causing it. They said ‘Another doctor will be around to talk to you soon’.
They lied.
Soon for me, is in the next 30 minutes maybe 45 if they are busy. Soon is NOT nearly 3 hours later.
And 3 hours later would have been okay, if the doctor would have actually been able to tell me something. Or at least apologize for soon not actually being soon.
Diagnosis – No idea. Go home. And he was rude about it.
Firstly he was Indian, which, fine. He’s Indian, it’s not going to affect how he does his job. He spoke good English and yada yada yada.
However.
He did not UNDERSTAND English very well. Our whole conversation was him telling me what I was meant to do, me asking him to clarify and him completely misunderstanding me and talking me in a whole big circle again.
He could not tell me why I was spotting. He could not tell me the results of the swab they took, nor the urine test. He refused to answer all questions as to why I might be bleeding instead answering with a ‘well the ultrasound looks normal, so we think everything is fine’. He couldn’t tell me if I had an infection (a possibility bandied around while I was in the awkward position of having my ankles together and my knees apart wearing no pants).
He asked me where I lived.
‘About an hour out of Town in *insert suburb here*’
‘Is that towards Launceston? Or down south?’
‘No, towards Launceston’
‘Well why are you here then? Why aren’t you being seen at Launceston General?’
‘Because this hospital is closer?’
‘But why you not go to Launceston instead? Or another Hospital closer?’
‘Because this is the closest hospital! This is the ONLY hospital within a 100km radius’
(You arrogant idiot! Why else do you think I would travel an hour ON A SUNDAY to be checked out!)
‘Oh’
(If you didn’t find him telling me to go to another hospital ironically hilarious, it’s because I have never mentioned how bad the funding for our health system is at the moment. All the smaller health clinics and hospitals have been closed. And even if they were still operating? Hobart is still closer than ANY of them! AND none of them are equipped to birth babies.)
He gave me an order for blood tests and told me I had to get them done before my next appointment with the midwives. Then he contradicted himself a bunch of times until I had no fucking idea what I was meant to do with the blood tests.
Further examination of the order has shown that they are stock standard 26 week blood tests that will be drawn at my next appointment. They do not require a special trip into town and they are not testing for why I might be bleeding. Asshole.
According to an ultrasound, the baby is fine and my placenta is fine. No obvious cause of any bleeding.
I have been given orders to return if I feel the need (fat fucking chance. I will go back if I am in active labour, or if I am bleeding red.) or to call for reassurance.
I felt like I was treated badly by the doctors. The first doctor who did the exam and ultrasound, asked my age and then told me how ‘very very young’ I was. Quite a few times. Then she said ‘And you have a 2 year old at home? Goodness you are YOUNG’.
Yes lady, I know I am young. I don’t feel young. I made the conscious decision to have my children NOW rather than when I am 35. This is what works for us. We own our own home, I write on the Internet (for small amounts of money) and I planned my life this way. My pregnancies were not accidental.
Back the fuck off.
I left stressed and upset, feeling like I hadn’t been listened to. All I wanted to know is WHY I was bleeding and what might have been causing it. Failing that, a decent consolation that no, everything is fine and none of this will affect your baby would have worked for me.
Anything except what I got.
I do need to mention the Midwives at my hospital though. The lady who was there for my exam, did the Doppler for a heartbeat and showed me where the coffee and tea making stuff was, she was lovely. So absolutely lovely. Thank you to her.
So today is now Tuesday and I have very light pink staining. I get crampy when I stand up for more than 5 minutes and I am spending more time stressing than I reasonably should. The good thing is, any contractions I might have are still Braxton Hicks and while uncomfortable, aren’t painful.
Sigh.
So, that’s what’s been up with me. How are you?
Oh honey. Headfuck is so right. You rest. Know I’m thinking good thoughts for you. XXOO
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Crap. So sorry. Please lay down a bit. Sending good thoughts…
texasholly @ June Cleaver Nirvanas last blog post..Potluck. Yep, a potluck
Jesus, that is a seriously crap weekend. I can’t believe how disrespectful they were of you. Or rather, I can believe it and I’m outraged by it.
I’m willing Amy to have a mellow day with a long nap so you can take it easy.
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I should also mention that Amy is spending today with her Nanny (Nathan’s Mum) so that I can rest up. Gotta love our families.
Holy SHIT!!!!!
Doctors can be such assholes. How dare they say that about you being young? That is INCREDIBLY rude.
I’m so damn sick of rude doctors and nurses. I really wish they had more classes in medical school about how to talk to patients. Or maybe how to LISTEN to patients.
Dinas last blog post..Some Plans
What a crappy Sunday. I hope you get lots of rest today.
Megans last blog post..I’m Sad
Are you serious? What a creep! I would have squished his head! (Or at least fantasized about it)
I hope everything turns out OK. I would be freaking out too if I were you and will keep my fingers crossed for you. Sometimes I think our bodies just like to mess with our minds, you know, just for something fun to do.
Sounds like an experience I had a few months ago, damn usless doctors!
Talinas last blog post..Wordless Wednesday October 1st
As if you’re not stressing enough, they pile more on. I totally agree that they should have classes, like “Not Being an Ass 101.”
Hundreds of women will tell you it is common, doesn’t make it less scary, but at least you know. Yup, every single pregnancy for me.
Rest and eat chocolate gorgeous.
Kelleys last blog post..Best laid plans.
That was a crappy day. Hope you’re getting plenty of rest while Amy is with her Nanny.
How am I? Well I WAS fine until I read this, now I’m a bit miffed at the treatment you got and I’m a bit worried about your light pink staining. I know it won’t be easy, but try to rest with your feet up a bit more and try to keep Amy off your belly, or at the very least not jumping at you “Tatch me mummy” style. Please be careful. The next 16 weeks can’t go fast enough for me now.
sorry to hear that they where so rude to you..
hopefully the labour and delivery goes well.. 🙂
i hope all good starts to happen for you too..
btw i am doing ok.. 🙂
Don’t let the bastahds grind you down. Insist on decent care, and do not let it keep you away from accessing it.
24 weeks is early for Braxton Hicks, innit? Rest, darlin.
witchypoos last blog post..Domestic Training
sometimes that hospital makes me so MAD! I went in one day with bad constipation and unbearable pains and there was a pregnant lady in there on the floor clutching her stomach because she was in pain. Her partner went and yelled at the staff because they had been in there for 3 HOURS. They kicked him out for being abusive and told me I could go in but I insisted that they see her first.
P.S From what you said, hopefully it is nothing bad…
Let someone konw if something is up and take care xxxxxx
That would freak me out completely. I hope you and the baby are okay. Rest sounds like a great option.
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Oh yes. I had similar treatment. I always felt I needed to be extra well dressed for doctors/clinic because I could feel the judgement due to my age.
I would suggest going to your GP for a better understanding of what’s going on (provided they are good to you), and he/she will/should send you for tests if you need them.
I did have the spotting/similar bleeding (colour etc) with Small Man at some stage, may have been a fraction earlier in the pregnancy than you are now – I freaked out.
Please rest.
G
xx
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Rest. Relax. Feet up. Slave nearby to fan you. Second slave nearby to drop grapes into your mouth as needed (and to wipe up slobbers). And then one more slave stationed at the other end of the divan (I wonder if that’s where ‘diva’ comes from) to rub your feet with soothing oils.
If you need aught else, you’re on your own.
lceels last blog post..Epilogue
Don’t listen to the ‘young’ police hon.
Rest up and take care of yourself 🙂
Bettinas last blog post..Home-made Projects
gosh what a traumatic experience – thinking of you and hoping these idiots take better care of you next time.
Now go rest up please.
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I am glad the midwives were lovely at least.
Sending loving healthy baby thoughts in your general direction!
Stress can be really hard on your body, and with the added hormones of pregnancy, that stress is hard to manage sometimes, especially with this latest occurrence. However,the less the better!
I totally understand what you mean about the language barrier– I have had to drop classes because there was a communication problem. I’m confident enough to ask questions, but it becomes infuriating when your questions are responded to with chastising, misunderstanding, and rude people.
Anyway, much love to you. Be well.
That sucks. What assholes. You deserve to be treated better. I think docs dont know much about how this whole baby thing works. They pretend they do hold their breath and hope everything will be ok.
By the way you will be ok and so will your baby.
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Well that was nice ! I was 19 when I had my first and it was a nightmare with the head nurse that was on. I had three kids by 24 and now I’m 35 and have a 8 month old, I’m crazy !
As for the bleeding, try to stay off your feet, I know it’s hard when you have a two year old running around and don’t let her jump around on your belly ! If it seems to be getting just a little worse get your ass to a doctor!
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I laughed at ‘Back the fuck off’…would love to see that play out.
Sorry it was so shitty, but great that everything seems okay.
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..Quod erat demonstrandum
Oh honey, try to take it easy ok? Thank goodness for families who are able to help out!
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Bugger – what a crap hospital visit. Try and take it easy – easier said than done I know. I’m thinking of you and have everything crossed. Not sure about this tinterweb speak malarkey but this worked with your mum so here goes (((hugs)))
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I’ve been through that same thing only it didn’t end as well as yours. Sorry to hear you had such a horrible time at the hospital.
Paunchinesss last blog post..Down We Go!
“I’m not really that YOUNG… you’re just really OLD.”
“NO. That is NOT what I asked. I asked ……… what is the answer to THAT QUESTION?”
Sorry, I had a little fantasy there where women actually speak their minds and aren’t treated like small, out-of-control children.
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Strict bedrest, feet up, no walking around unless you need to go potty.
Go see your GP asap.
Get Amy looked after by her grandmas as much as possible until it’s investigated properly.
Jaynes last blog post..Trivial History October 8
Ugh. What a random group of rotten assholes. Sorry, lovely Veronica, that you had to suffer them.
Good that everything looked okay with the ultrasound, but I have to wonder if those assholes know what they are talking about. Did the midwife say anything rational and calming? Those women have seen it all.
Rest. That’s good advice. NO jumping Amy’s. That’s great advice.
Thinking of you. Willing you to stay horizontal.
=)
KatStuffs last blog post..The Fine Print
Okay, V,
don’t get me started. Firstly, no one has the right to treat you differently because you are young in their eyes. That is just judgemental and well, wrong.
Look at all the polies who are promoting having your kids ‘young’ now because of all the issues with the over thirties and infertility.
Yes they are.
Next, any bleeding should be treated with care. Did they test for UTI? Even though you had lots of bleeding at the beginning and things look good, they should still do all the proper investigations.
Here are some things we think of when there is bleeding:
(sorry TMI) post coital bleed, increased vascular bleed (with exertion like vomiting)placenta, cervical bleed.
Low iron can increase your chances of a bleed antenatally and postnatally.
I’m so sorry that they treated you that way in a really scary situation. It shouldn’t be that way. Ever.
I’m glad the midwife was nice because you certainly didn’t deserve to be treated the way you were.
I hope it settles down for you soon and that you are able to rest.
tiffs last blog post..It’s the little things.
just keep your knees closed and your leggs crossed hunny and all will be fine,,, but really CALM DOWN it is ok….. breathe…… rest,,,,, relax….. hang in there
Just a moms last blog post..WELL IT IS TUESDAY…. I GOT MY FIX LAST NIGHT…..
Unfortunately a lot of doctors have their heads up in the clouds (or up their asses in your case) because they think they are better than everyone else. I would know, I’ve worked for quite a few of them. I’m sorry that happened to you, that’s horrible.
But remember to take time for yourself and your baby and try not to stress too much about it.
Take care of yourself and you’re in my thoughts!
Holy crap lady! Take some time for yourself. Relax if you can. (I know that’s funny, I read the cocoa mess story.) I wish there was something I could do to help, like kick a stupid doctor’s ass.
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