Should I Go to the ER or Wait Till My Next Dr Appointment?

Updated on August 25, 2010
V.W. asks from Rush City, MN
16 answers

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?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

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

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Boston on

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

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M..

answers from Cleveland on

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
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

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

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
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think all of us lovely mamas should stop asking each other for medical advice, and instead call our doctors directly.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from Iowa City on

Just call your OB's office and talk to the nurse. They will tell you if you should come in or not.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Omaha on

Forget the ER they are the EMERGENCY room. This isn't an emergency. People don't seem to comprehend that.

Call your doc. Tell them all about this or their nurse whomever. They will tell you what to do. If you need an earlier appointment, if they want you to come in, if they want to meet you in the er. Whatever. But you should talk to your doctor. Some ER doctor knows nothing about you. They will more than likely do light testing at best and recommend you go to your doctor or call your doctor.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Ask your Doctor... or go in sooner/check with an ER.
Best to be safe than sorry.

Or it could be that you are straining yourself too much... if/when you get pain, you should STOP whatever you are doing. Especially since you are in your 7.5th month and 9 months is not long away.
I remember, getting pains too sometimes, as I got close to my due date... but I was pushing myself too much...

Next, please... do not carry that 2 year old anymore.
You are 7.5 months pregnant...
I am sure, her parents would not 'expect' you to carry her... being in your condition.

I did babysitting... before I had my 2nd child. I babysat, daily, until I was 8 months pregnant... then my Doc told me to stop. The kid I babysat was 2 years old, as well. I did not carry her.

all the best,
Susan

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from McAllen on

Call your doctor if you can reach him go to the ER! Congratulations, Good Luck!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Washington DC on

I would call your OB (on call number) and explain the pain and see what he/she says , the pain and the area in which you are having it could be your appendix , better to be checked out to make sure.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.G.

answers from Seattle on

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!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.D.

answers from Omaha on

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.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Omaha on

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.

M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

ASAP!!!!!!! on the ER room!!! but it could also mean BRAXTON HICKS!!! false contractions, but to be on the safe side you should go to the ER!!!!!!!!!!! and congradz on your pregnancy hope all is well

C.C.

answers from Visalia on

hello,

ur baby is active, most likely stretching and bumping into ur muscles and organs. could be a torn in there. i would call ur dr. if he has a emergency number or go to the ER.

Not to scare you but, i lost a baby at 32 weeks waiting too long. it was devastating and the after effects in ur mind, beating urself up by thinking 'what if'. this was 30 yrs ago. and it still brings a pain to my heart even right now as i type. better safe than sorry. oh and be persistant at the ER or dr office, I was sent home from the ER being told i had an upset stomach. all they needed to do was a blood test and the baby could of been safe.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.I.

answers from Duluth on

i think you are just fine honey! :) this is probably just normal streching and ligaments and stuff from the pregnancy. you can for sure ask at your next appointment, but you could also call your clinic and request to talk to a nurse also. :)

good luck!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions