Spotting and Non-helpful Nurses

[welldone]

This is not a rant against all nurses, just the ones at my midwives' office. My sisters are both nurses, and I know there are many knowledgeable ones out there. That said...

I'm 7 weeks. I've been having light brown spotting for about 4-5 days. It's very mucousy, and nothing that I'm particularly worried about. Still, just to be sure, I called the midwives' office and left a message with an RN. When she called back, she said,

"You're 7 weeks, right? You're right not to worry. It could be many things, like breakthrough during the time of your missed period, or implantation bleeding. We'll not worry unless it continues or turns bright red. Try to avoid intercourse and tampons..."

I tuned out after that. You noticed that she confirmed that I was 7 weeks? Did she not realize that period bleeding would have been 3 weeks ago, and implantation bleeding would have been 4 weeks ago? I'm still not worried, but more concerned for other women who call looking for medical advice/reassurance.

Granted, I teach natural childbirth classes, and know more than your average bear, but I still wish I had someone else to ask my questions to. The midwives themselves are barely reachable by phone message.

Ah, done ranting. Thank you.

[Quindin]

My experience with midwives has always been wonderful. However, I have found that whenever I had a worry which was not obviously serious and wanted to get checked, they would usually just give me the "let's wait and see what happens" I mean, a lot of the worries are no big deal, but I wish sometimes they had checked me just in case...
Though I still prefer midwives to regular Drs, I wish they would check and see if something was wrong since there are many pregnancy problems that can be avoided or treated.
Keep us updated though on how you are doing - it will all go well

[weebitty2]

Regular doctors and OBs don't seem to be much better...

We had an ectopic scare (thank God it's not!) and it took over a WEEK of fighting with the OB before I finally walked into the ER and said "I'm pg, it hurts, I've had one ectopic, and I need reassurance." Had an u/s within 2 hours.

My FP and OB both wanted to take a "wait and see" - OB's office actually told me if I was THAT worried, I could schedule their "standard" 12 week appointment. 12 weeks?! That's pretty close to the end of the first trimester .. and a good bit away for me. Isn't the first trimester the "most important" in pregnancy? Weeners. ... but with an ectopic that can be deadly for mama AND baby. Jerks. Also finally found myself a homebirth midwife YAY!! All her appointments are done in-home, and her backup OB is absolutely AWESOME, but doesn't accept new patients in her own practice, only through the midwives.

[Patchfire]

Well, in that nurse's defence, they do say that brown blood is 'old' blood, so perhaps she meant that it was 'old' blood that was just now showing up...? It doesn't make much sense, I admit, but it makes a bit more sense than her being completely clueless...

Nurses are such a crapshoot. I mean, I had a horrible nurse when I was in labor with dd, and shift changed right at 8 am, which was when she was born... the nurse coming on duty took the time to review our chart, our birth plan, and everything, and she was wonderful. The same for the nurses in the office - there were brusque, businesslike ones, and then there was at least one who knew we didn't want vaginal exams in the last month, etc. It's really no exaggeration to say that nurses are a big part of the reason we're going with a homebirth - because we just can't guarantee one of the good ones.

[welldone]

Patchfire, I thought of that. I'm sure she was well-intentioned but misinformed. It would've been old, old blood...

The nursing profession, as in any profession, has a wide plethora of personalities. I just seem to run into all the difficult ones during pregnancy/birth!

[TRIBE]

Originally Posted by weebitty2

I could schedule their "standard" 12 week appointment. 12 weeks?! That's pretty close to the end of the first trimester .. and a good bit away for me. Isn't the first trimester the "most important" in pregnancy?

Yes the 1st tri is important but the reason behind not scheduling appts before then (other than to confirm a pg) is that there really isn't anything an OB can do in the first tri other than prescribe you some vitamins. It isn't necessary to have an u/s and normally you can't hear the heartbeat thru a doppler before 8-12 weeks anyways.

I personally don't understand the need to be seen that early myself or as many times in a pg as is stndard protocol. But I do understand being concerned over another possible ectopic pregnancy and in that case they should have confirmed whether it was or was not an ectopic.