So as I may have mentioned in the past I have a pretty stressful and physical job. Although I totally believe in what I do (protecting threatened & endangered species) I don't like the absolutely horrible people I do it for. The gentlemen (yes 5 of them and all male) I work for are an absolute disgrace in this day and age. They treat women as though they are second rate citizens and this appears to be worse when the woman is smarter then them. So on any given day I can go without seeing any of them or being treated like crap by all of them. Add to this that I am still walking on average 5 miles a day on the beach.
Originally I wanted to try and work until June 18 (37 weeks). Once the season really started to pick up I realized this was a bit of a push on my part and hubby and I decided I would do part time starting the first week fo June until the 18th. This would at least keep me on F/T until Memorial Day weekend when things out on the field get NUTS. When I went to my last midwife appt and told her that I wanted to go on P/T the first week of June she said, "Well there is no medical indication". I was a little befuddled as I would think a 34 week pregnant woman dealing with daily stress and being required to walk 5-7 miles a day was indication enough. I stated this (much more politely) and she said she would work on my paperwork and give it back to me at my next appt (tomorrow).
Well over the past week I have been having some pretty intense BH contractions. It's not that they are super strong per se but that on my more stressful days I have many more of them than usual (i.e. 6-10 an hour). But usually once I get home and relax they go away. So I figured I would wait until my appt tomorrow and bring it up (thinking well how is this for medical indication!?). Well today I ended up having to deal with the leader of the super dousche's who thinks that it is my job to be a secretary when one of the ladies is out and if that means threatened and endangered species die so be it! Regardless of the fact that this is specifically what I was hired for! Anyway.....on the way home I was so worked up I started getting one contraction on top of the other. I'm talking 15-17 before I even got home (it is a 45 min drive). I thought as usual, once I relaxed they would slow down, but they didn't. So I decided it was time to call the midwife and just make sure that baby girl was alright.
When I told her I was having a lot of BH contractions and how many, it almost seemed like she didn't believe me. She asked a few more questions and then told me to relax and drink a lot of water and call her in an hour to see how things are going. When I called back I told her they had gone down but I had still gotten 11 since the last time I spoke to her. So she says well 11 in and hour and a half isn't bad. I reiterated that it was in an hour as that is when she told me to call her back!! She really didn't seem concerned even then. She said to pay attention to my body and if I feel like I need to relax then to relax or if I need to drink more than drink more. It almost seemed like I was being given a predetermined speech and not actually being listened too. I AM paying attention to my body and it is telling me that I am having more contractions then I am comfortable with. At the very least, recognize that it is a result of my employment and support my decision to leave!!! These midwives have honestly been great up until this point. They were there for me during both of my losses and super supportive when we got pregnant again. But right now I am feeling kind of alone. I want to feel like they are seriously listening to me and deciding what is best, but right now that is not how I feel.
The contractions are still pretty often and I'm trying to just relax and deciding if I should go into work tomorrow. At our appt I am going to be very vocal about how I feel and hope that she can see my point of view. Am I being a complete hypocondriac? Are this many contractions not a problem?
Originally I wanted to try and work until June 18 (37 weeks). Once the season really started to pick up I realized this was a bit of a push on my part and hubby and I decided I would do part time starting the first week fo June until the 18th. This would at least keep me on F/T until Memorial Day weekend when things out on the field get NUTS. When I went to my last midwife appt and told her that I wanted to go on P/T the first week of June she said, "Well there is no medical indication". I was a little befuddled as I would think a 34 week pregnant woman dealing with daily stress and being required to walk 5-7 miles a day was indication enough. I stated this (much more politely) and she said she would work on my paperwork and give it back to me at my next appt (tomorrow).
Well over the past week I have been having some pretty intense BH contractions. It's not that they are super strong per se but that on my more stressful days I have many more of them than usual (i.e. 6-10 an hour). But usually once I get home and relax they go away. So I figured I would wait until my appt tomorrow and bring it up (thinking well how is this for medical indication!?). Well today I ended up having to deal with the leader of the super dousche's who thinks that it is my job to be a secretary when one of the ladies is out and if that means threatened and endangered species die so be it! Regardless of the fact that this is specifically what I was hired for! Anyway.....on the way home I was so worked up I started getting one contraction on top of the other. I'm talking 15-17 before I even got home (it is a 45 min drive). I thought as usual, once I relaxed they would slow down, but they didn't. So I decided it was time to call the midwife and just make sure that baby girl was alright.
When I told her I was having a lot of BH contractions and how many, it almost seemed like she didn't believe me. She asked a few more questions and then told me to relax and drink a lot of water and call her in an hour to see how things are going. When I called back I told her they had gone down but I had still gotten 11 since the last time I spoke to her. So she says well 11 in and hour and a half isn't bad. I reiterated that it was in an hour as that is when she told me to call her back!! She really didn't seem concerned even then. She said to pay attention to my body and if I feel like I need to relax then to relax or if I need to drink more than drink more. It almost seemed like I was being given a predetermined speech and not actually being listened too. I AM paying attention to my body and it is telling me that I am having more contractions then I am comfortable with. At the very least, recognize that it is a result of my employment and support my decision to leave!!! These midwives have honestly been great up until this point. They were there for me during both of my losses and super supportive when we got pregnant again. But right now I am feeling kind of alone. I want to feel like they are seriously listening to me and deciding what is best, but right now that is not how I feel.
The contractions are still pretty often and I'm trying to just relax and deciding if I should go into work tomorrow. At our appt I am going to be very vocal about how I feel and hope that she can see my point of view. Am I being a complete hypocondriac? Are this many contractions not a problem?
13 comments:
Shandrea said...
I don't think you're being a hypocondriac. I probably would have tried to get up there today if it were me. I think you did the right thing by calling and i would bring it up also if i were you. Sending you hugs and praying everything goes well for you.
cheryllookingforward said...
You're not a complete hypochindriac! I got a few BH contractions at work and it was awful... and I sit at a desk all day! I can't imagine trying to walk through that and deal with the stress.
Good luck at your appointment today. Put up a fight and don't give in - I think you should go to part time and I'm rooting for you!
StephaE said...
Hmmmmm I have never been at that point, but I do know that YOU know your body better than anyone else, even the midwives. You should definitely tell her if you are concerned and let her know what you want to do. They work for you!!!
Anonymous said...
When I was pregnant I would get a lot of BH contractions too, starting around my 32nd week. My midwives told me that anything more than 4 contractions in an hour is not normal and could be a sign of preterm labor. You are certainly having many more than 4 an hour. I am not a medical professional, but I would say that they should be taking you more seriously. BH contractions DO contract the uterus and they CAN cause your cervix to start to efface and dilate and you DON't want that to be happening already! I don't want to worry you, but I agree that you should be more clear during your appt. and definitely go part time at work.
LuckyOnce said...
I'm so sorry both that work is so stressful, and that you're feeling like your midwives aren't supporting you. I have to tell you that if that happens again, I would insist on being seen and having the baby monitored. I think a regular OB would probably send you for an NST (non-stress test) at that point. If your midwives aren't taking you seriously, you may have to be more firm with them, and if that doesn't work, then as a last resort find someone who WILL take you seriously.
Also, I completely agree with you about needing to go part time at work sooner than later. You don't need baby girl making an early arrival (especially on the beach!) :)
Wendy said...
I'm sorry I don't know much about this subject but I echo the ladies' comments above - you know your body best and you need to be as vocal as you see fit - going part time at work will help but firstly make sure everything is ok and not out of the norm. Good luck today!
Erica said...
Take it easy, girl! If they won't listen to you, find someone who will. With my daughter, I was a teacher at the time, and my OB put me on bedrest at 35 weeks b/c of contractions, even though it turned out that they contractions didn't do anything to stimulate labor. With Baby Sam, I had contractions for 12 weeks before he was born and my new OB didn't think it mattered, but I got checked out A LOT.
You can get a fetal fibronectin test that will predict if you'll go into labor anytime soon. Or just an interal exam to check for dialation. And a non-stress test to check on baby girl sounds like a good plan.
Not trying to worry you -- I am sure she is doing great in there. But if you are uncomfortalbe with your care, speak up for sure. Nothing is more important than that baby!
Praying for you.
CeCe said...
Wow, walking 5-7 miles at this point- not to mention the BH contractions- is intense. I agree your midwives should be looking into this more carefully.. and should certainly support going part-time. Keep listening to what your body is telling you. Good luck- hope you get this resolved soon.
Me said...
Yes, that is a lot of contractions! You know your body better than they ever will. I hope they listen and do something to make things better for you. Good luck!
Fumbling towards Motherhood said...
I'm all for midwives...but I would call my doctor about this one. I don't know what is normal and what is not, but this doesn't SOUND normal. I wouldn't take my chances on a midwife, the doctors can give you a proper check up and test for stress or pre-term labor. Best of luck, let us know how it goes.
Photogrl said...
I'd feel like I wasn't being listened to, either.
11 contractions, BH or not, is a LOT in an hour.
I'm under strict orders to call if I have more than 4!!
Definitely speak up at your next appointment, it's for you and your baby!
((HUGS))
TIG said...
You're doing the right things by listening to your body, requesting a letter to leave work early, calling every time you're unsure. I would definitely talk to your midwife and your workplace. This is all unnecessary stress. Also I can't believe you're walking that many miles when you're considered a high risk. My dr. recommends I only walk 1 - 2 blocks as a high risk patient. I also drink alot of water and walk away from stressful situations. I think you should take a day off and rest. You & your baby are in my prayers... Keep us posted!
projectbaby said...
I give you props for not cursing her off on the phone. I know I would've. :) I don't know what I'm more outraged about - your midwife or those dousches. I'd have to say the latter. I think if you talk to your midwife and she sees how serious you are, she'll (she should...she better!) come around and do what's right for you and the baby, not what's convenient for her. I don't know how midwives and their practices work but can you talk to another midwife in her practice? You've made it this far!! Make us all proud! :)