Strange appointment with GP - should I have said I'm pregnant (again)?

[Blankel]

I had a GP appointment today for a UTI, I'm 36 weeks pregnant (so I'm very pregnant). I was asked to provide a urine sample on arrival. I said to the GP that I'm 36 weeks pregnant and I also said that my midwife had tested my urine and said there are nitrates and protein in there and that she had sent me to them for antibiotics. Then the GP asked for my symptoms and I told her. She then asked me to get on the scales, which I did and it said I'm 70.2kg, which she calculated as a BMI of 28 and told me my BMI is overweight. She then asked to measure my waist, which I said ok to, and it was 99cm. She told me my height to waist ratio was very high (my waist is just under 2/3 of my height) and that I should "work on that", recommending that I try to go for a daily walk and work on my diet to improve it - and that it might ease my symptoms. She then said to wait for the urine sample results and I'd get a phone call if I need antibiotics.

I feel a bit confused. I'm very clearly heavily pregnant so surely the whole issue of having a skewed height to waist ratio isn't a problem? Or am I missing something? Should I have reiterated that I'm pregnant? I didn't want to sound like an idiot...it was really obvious that I'm pregnant - she literally was measuring my waist so can't have missed my bump! Should I be trying to lose weight?

I agree. It's very concerning. I think OP needs to switch to a different GP practice in the long term, but visit an urgent care centre today.

I think a lot of people on here are being completely hysterical, and getting very angry with the OP for listening to her actual GP rather than a load of randoms on the Internet. It's weird. I particularly liked the person who basically said "but gooogle..." as if that's far more reliable than a person who went to medical school and has many years experience. I do agree the waist measuring thing sounds like madness. However, having just read the guidelines on UTI's in late pregnancy as far as I can tell it is standard to do the test the OP has had done to confirm a uti prior to starting antibiotics and that antibiotics aren't recommended in near term pregnancies - which given that 37 weeks is considered full term, the OP would be. So I think the medical professionals might be on to something and you all should be ashamed of yourselves for worrying the hell out of her and causing arguments between her and her partner.

and causing arguments between her and her partner.

What the one with man flu. Now who's being hysterical 🙄

And tbh @wellyelliebee if a GP starts telling you your bmi when pregnant why the hell should you trust them? I'd rather trust a bunch of women saying they've all been in the same situation for advice.

If/when you do get some antibiotics please double check with the pharmacist that they are antibiotics that can be taken when pregnant as some can’t be. Especially if they are prescribed by this mad doctor !

Sounds like a complete nightmare trying to get clear medical advice and treatment! For what it's worth, they apparently don't have to check a wee sample before giving antibiotics. I rang my surgery a few months back with a suspected UTI and I asked them if I could drop a urine sample off. They got a doctor to call me back and he prescribed without the sample. Said he didn't need it, the symptoms clearly pointed to a UTI. He also said I sounded a bit desperate, which I think I did! Hope you are feeling better. Horrible to be dealing with it and trying to navigate the health system and dozy doctors.

Honestly, Mumsnet is completely bonkers isn't it? Do some people sit at home, poised to totally miss the point so they can berate the OP and/or their nearest and dearest because that's how they get their kicks? Is it because Jeremy Kyle is no longer on? 🙄

This is concerning! Obviously the BMI and measurements are absolutely bonkers.

Also, unless this has changed whilst I’ve been on mat leave, uti in very pregnant lady treated empirically (I.e off the back of your symptoms not your sample), straight away.

Uti a culprit for prem labour!

hope you’re feeling better, please raise these blatant training issues with your practice xx

Blankel, I've had preeclampsia twice, please call the maternity line and tell them that you will be attending query preeclampsia. There's a specific blood test and a 24h urine output test that they can do. Even if it is a 'simple' uti it can trigger labour and you're not quite term so you must be seen.
Ignore the batshittery that's been going on here & please attend maternity x

Very odd, she does sound like my mum. Who was talking about good diets to try and was dropping big hints to me.
I was 7 months pregnant, do yes I was carrying some extra weight there mum. 🤦‍♀️🤰 I know I didn't get so much of bump, as I seemed to get fat all over.
Even my partner said one, when I was stood in the kitchen, you do look pregnant stood like that, about 8 months at this point. I was thanks.
But how she missed your baby bump is strange. I think she might need new glasses or to go for an eye test, but definitely, ring up and say, the doctor did realise I am pregnant right?

IKR!

OP it is ridiculous that you have experienced so much hassle

I suspect you might be coming up against a bureaucratic thing here or a legal thing, because the one they normally prescribe first is not suitable for late pregnancy.

Sorry to say, you might have a battle but hopefully it's been sorted since your last post.

Protein?!?

was your blood pressure ok?

I would actually complain. She sounds incompetent!

Holy shit op, I can't believe the replies you have been subjected too. If I was going to call the authorities to get someone checked out it wouldn't be you!

Sounds like the second gp doesn't want to make the first gp look bad so is maing excuses. I had a uti late i pregnancy and my midewife notified the gp who then did a prescription amd rang me at work to tell me to collect it that day. I can't believe they are happy to just leave you 'this late in pregnancy'. I hope your midwife can help here, if she is unavailable over the weekend give the labour ward a call.

Unfortunately sometimes drs do get it wrong. A very condescending paediatrician told me baby had not had a seizure and was probably just making faces and discharged us. I filmed the next one and he had the bloody nerve to tell me off for not explaining it clearly enough to him the day before. I thought 'my daughter has had a seizure' was pretty bloody clear.

Hi
I am sorry, it is confusing as the doctor didn’t explain to you the procedure.
The abdominal measurement is taking to confirm the pregnancy weeks. It is quite normal to do it. They calculate your weight to check your BMI as a patient with weight problems can be indication for pre eclampsia.
regardless the urine example, the GP can not prescribe antibiotics even if you are not pregnant , until the results come back . Ot is for your safety, as another results can be mixed up, miss diagnostic, etc
They advice going for a walk, improve your diet to keep you well and fit for a smooth delivery. You should be eating healthy. As long as you eat the right food and walk or do exercise you will be ok.
hoping it is helpful,

Gosh @WonderingWanda thank goodness you filmed it. But what a bloody cheek. Sadly we all have stories like this in our families.

The abdominal measurement is taking to confirm the pregnancy weeks.

If that was the case then why did the GP go on to tell OP her waist-to-height ratio was too high?

I’m sorry. But what?!?!

that’s absolutely incorrect and I would 100000% complain. Yes they don’t like too but infection layer in pregnancy is not a good thing.

please contact the practice manager asap and put in an official complaint.

also the arguing on this thread is shit!!!

I think you could be at my gp’s surgery (They are also dreadful but there isn’t anywhere else to go)

Also told to lose weight during pregnancy and when I lost 2stone because I was throwing up constantly I was told that I was beginning to get my weight under control and sickness was to be expected if I considered myself pregnant

Turns out they had someone who had the same name as me with my same date birthdate just 10 years older which would have put her at very late 40s and I think they thought I was having a phantom pregnancy.

They even called the police on Dh as another person with same name registered at the surgery and their first thought was fraud

Police came to our door and Dh had to prove who he was.

What you describe would be the norm at my surgery. I really don’t believe they are. Qualified doctors

And someone said you’d know if it was a UTI. You’d have pain on urination

thatd incorrect. As we get older we actually don’t usually get much pain with a UTI. Hence why so many older people can go months without knowing about it.

so that’s bad medical advice.

the GP can not prescribe antibiotics even if you are not pregnant , until the results come back

of course they can

Op. How are you feeling, physically? Temperature, pain etc

I’ve never had much pain with UTIs and I have had a chronic issue with them.

That’s incorrect

GP’s absolutely can prescribe antibiotics without the sample coming back. For example with a kidney infection they tend to give antibiotics before the blood sample. Or with suspected sepsis they can do….

my gp don’t tend to ask for samples for women purely because it can be done for symptoms alone.

they can also do it for unique diseases which need help before infection kicks in. They can also prescribe prophylactic antibiotics if need be for BEFORE the infections even got into the body.