V.W. asks from Rush City, MN on August 14, 2010
Should I Go to the ER or Wait Till My Next Dr Appointment?
I am about 7 and a half months pregnant.
I have been having on and off pain in my lower abdomen. It started off just being pain in my lower right abdomen whenever I would walk too fast or for too long, walk up stairs, or pick up the 2 year old girl that I am the nanny for. However, if I didn't stop doing what I was doing right away and wait for it to go away the pain would become so severe that it would force me to stop. I thought that I just pulled a muscle or something. Now, on top of that, I have begun to get lower left abdominal pain as well as lower back pain. This pain is random and only lasts for a few seconds. It kinda feels like a sharp stabbing pain. I have not had any bleeding. I do have some vaginal discharge, but nothing different than what I have been having the entire pregnancy. The baby has not decreased his activity... If anything he's become more active.
My next Dr appointment is on the 23rd. Can I wait until then, or should I go to the ER?
So What Happened?™
Thank you to everyone for the advice. I called the nurse advice hotline at my hospital and after explaining everything to the first nurse I was transferred to the labor and delivery unit and explained everything to a nurse there. She said that it sounded like ligament pain, but that if it got worse I should come in.
Thanks again
Featured Answers
R.K. answers from Boston on August 14, 2010
I think if you are questioning going to the ER then you should definately go. It could be nothing but then again it could be something. Better to be safe then sorry.
More Answers
M.. answers from Cleveland on August 14, 2010
I would call your dr Monday morning and ask to be seen that day. I think if someone is pregnant, it is always better to err on the side of caution. You don't want to take any chances with your baby's health. Good luck, and if it gets any worse I would go to the er.
4 moms found this helpful
K.S. answers from Kansas City on August 14, 2010
Isn't there an on call Dr. at your Dr.'s office you can call and ask this question to? It may just be your muscles stretching. I definitely wouldn't lift the 2 yo anymore if I were you.
3 moms found this helpful
R.H. answers from Dallas on August 14, 2010
Sounds a lot like round ligament pain, google it and see if the description matches what you are feeling. If it is ligament pain, you have nothing to worry about, as long as it's going away with rest. I get this with almost every pregnany but daily now with my 4th, I bring it up to my OB at almost every appt just to be reassured that its normal to get it so much and he keeps telling me it's very normal. :)
The best thing to do when you feel the pain is sit or lie down in a comfortable position, if it goes away when sitting, even if it takes a little while, then it should be nothing more than ligaments.
Take care.
2 moms found this helpful
S.T. answers from Iowa City on August 15, 2010
Just call your OB's office and talk to the nurse. They will tell you if you should come in or not.
C.D. answers from Omaha on August 15, 2010
If the pain only occurs when doing specific tasks then I wouldn't worry too much about it. I had lower abdominal pain toward the end of my pregency and the Dr said that if it hurt to do something stop doing it. Lower back pain is not uncommon in pregancy. If the pain continues I would see about getting into to your DR asap.
I.G. answers from Seattle on August 14, 2010
Personally I would avoid the ER for many reasons, one being that they are not L&D and often handle pregnancy related stuff terrible until the on-call OB arrives.
Call your doctor. Every OB/GYN and midwife have an on-call service. If he suggests that you go in, he will call for you and you can head straight to L&D.
Definitely don't just wait....
Good luck!
R.K. answers from Boston on August 14, 2010
I think if you are questioning going to the ER then you should definately go. It could be nothing but then again it could be something. Better to be safe then sorry.
A.H. answers from Omaha on August 15, 2010
My doctor always told me that if the pain goes away by changing positions then it shouldn't be a cause for concern. Sounds like you may be over-exerting yourself. I would at least call the dr. office and talk with the nurse to let them know what is going on and they will know whether or not you need to be seen right away.
I had a lot of different pain sensations and lots of pressure with my 2 pregnancies and they can cause worry, but since you aren't having any other abnormal symptoms you are probably ok. Hang in there!
A.
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