Help! 34 weeks pg, suddenly have very sharp constant pain in stomach..

[Gemzooks]

what could it be? It's mostly on the left side. very sharp constant pain, not like a contraction.. couldn't be appendix, could it? It's just come on in the last 30 mins... anyone had this?

[Gemzooks]

don't think so.. was hurrying round with pushchair, have spd but it's been much better recently..

[Gemzooks]

ok, maybe it's that.. do you think I should phone the midwife or not bother? It is really painful!

[Lotster]

I had some round ligament pain sounding a bit like this.

As Fio said, it's worth a call to check to put your mind at rest though.

[AmeliaMum]

Please go to hospital immediately. I am not trying to scare you but this is a very strong sign of pre-eclampsia, and a particularly serious form called HELLP syndrome. I left the pain overnight because I thought I was being a wimp and because apart from a little swelling I had no other sign of pre-eclampsia including normal blood pressure. Sadly by the morning my daughter had died and I was touch and go for several days. The doctors can help you and save your baby if you go asap. Don't worry about making a fuss. They are used to it and you would much rather be slightly embarrassed if there is nothing wrong than live with the consequences of not going.
Please go now and let us know you are ok afterwards.
xxx

[Gemzooks]

thanks for all your kind responses.. I've managed to get DS to bed, it would happen on one of the 2 nights DH is away! The pain is a bit better, especially if I sit down so I think it's ok and I just pulled something, will just try and take it easy!

[AmeliaMum]

Gem - if you can't go to the hospital call your delivery suite and tell them how you feel. This is apparently what I should have done. Although all teh books say the pain will be constant with HELLP in my case it was not. After feeling v lousy, I managed to eat my tea and watch tv all evening thinking it must just be what being heavily pregnant feels like and it was a bit better. It wasn't until later it got much worse and by then I was incapable of making a rational decision because I was bleeding so badly internally my systems were shutting down. A midwife in teh delivery unit could also put your mind at rest. You do not want to be on your own with your son if you are ill. The hospital will understand and send somebody out to you.
The reason I think it may be something more than a pulled muscle is the pain to the left - in HELLP it is teh liver that is attacked and that could be pain you are feeling.
Sorry to write an essay but somebody posted something similar on here last year and another poster and me both gave her this advice from our experience. She had been debating whether to go on a work do but had a pain in her side. She went straight to hospital and had an emergency c-section that night. Both she and her baby survived.
Fingers crossed you are ok

[Gemzooks]

thanks Ameliamum, well I phoned the midwife and she asked a lot of questions and ended by saying have a hot bath and just see and phone her if it gets worse. I had diarrhoea as well but it's not food poisoning. I'm in Holland, planning a homebirth (encouraged here), and they are very casual with pregnancy/birth issues. However she did say to call back if it gets worse in any way.

[lovelylullaby]

Glad you called your midwife Gemzooks. You must call her again if you think you are worse. Don't let your birthplans get in the way of getting medical help if you need it.

[AmeliaMum]

Good luck, being pregnant can be rubbish sometimes can't it!