Hi ladies -
here is the saga of what has happend to me in the last 24 hours....
I had been feeling pressure on my cervix and a backache all weekend and it was getting pretty bad by monday afternoon. So I called my OB up in Vermont and left a message for the nurse explainging my symptoms and that I wasn't sure if that was normal...
My OB called me right back and said to err on the side of caution and have someone check me cervix - so off to the ER I went since at this point it's 4:55 and there is no way I'm going to reach anyone esle that that point.
Let me just say that unless you are having a heart attack or are visibly bleeding ER doctors, although very well meaning, have no idea what to do with you - and are clueless about 2nd trimester pregnancy. It was FIVE hours before they gave in to my demands to see an OB and of course at that point the radiologist had gone home so there was no one there qualified to do a cervical depth measurement. She did a pelvic exam and everything appears OK from the outside. I could have told her that! I'm not bleeding and I don't have any wierd discharge.
I let them (ER doctors) know how dissapointed by the level of care I had just recieved and the OB reccomended a local place that has u/s experts to look at me tomorrow (today) since it was reasonable to do given that I was feeling a lot of pressure.
So I get back to my apartment at 11:30 PM and go to sleep.
Today the saga continues......
So I called my OB's office this morning at 9:10 and left a message for the nurse (she never picks up the phone) telling her about my ER visit last night and how the OB there though a cervical thickness measurement was warrented and the place I should go and all the numbers to call in the referral.
11:00 - no phone call ..... so I call the u/s place to tell them my story and to see how late they could have a referral phoned in - they were lovely and said so long as they hear by 2:00 all would be fine to get me in that day. So I call back to my OB's office and leave ANOTHER message for the nurse with the new information...
11:57 - no phone call and I have to pee and I know they go to lunch at 12:00 - luck has it 11:59 she calls me back (leaving a message since I am not in the ladies room) and says my OB is on vacation today and she'll leave the message for her in the morning. WHAT THE F*CK!!!!! I mean there are two other doctors in that practice and it takes three hours to tell me "we'll let you know tomorrow!
1:00 I go to the ultrasound clicnic to see if I can have them take me anyway since I know I have insurace coverage.. well they are a referrals only place but also completely horrified by my OB's office and how they treated me. So the receptionist there calls my OB's office and says that I am here on reccomendation from an on-call OB from the ER at Mount Auburn hostpital and all they need is a verbal OK to take a look at me- Hah! that did it! I was in with the radiologist in 30 minutes.
So - Baby A's head is pushing on my cervix which is the constant pressure with waves of more pressure that I am feeling. My cervix is great looking - nice and long. The radiologist was teriffic - he did measurements of everything and Baby A is a BOY! Baby B is also looking very healthy curled up in a ball on my left side but was being shy so we don't know the sex - so that will have to wait for my next ultrasound in about a month.
So after this experience and given some previous bad experinces I've had with my OB's office - although I like me OB most of the time - I don't like being ignored when I have a valid concern. The only other time I have ever called them with a "concern" I was bleeding hard so it's not like I am a hypochondriac. My mom has a terrific OB/GYN up in Middlebury which is a little less than an hour away who has an u/s machine in her office and my mom raves about her - so I think I am going to change my doctor in the next few weeks. I mean I have PPO insurance and there is no rule that says you have to stay with the same doctor through your whole pregnancy - especially if your doctor's office is being unresponsive to concerns.
So anyway - I am fine- the babies are fine - we're having a boy and a ? - thanks everyone for listening to me kevetch! (and for reading this epic email)
Molly
Gosh, Molly - I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this! Very glad to know that everthing is okay, but what a frustrating story! Are you not near the hospital in which you will deliver? I would have thought your OB would have originally instructed you to head to the L&D department instead of the ER. I don't blame you at all for your frustration, I would also consider switching dr's if I were in your shoes! Perhaps you could contact your RE's office for a reccomendation? I like the idea of your OB having onsite radiology - mine did to (and a peri next door to do consults).
I hope you're feeling better soon!
& 
9-02
