AIBU to think I should’ve been seen by now?

[Labourious]

I’m 37 weeks pregnant. I woke up this morning with severe abdominal pain - like cramping. I was also really struggling to breathe. The pain doesn’t come and go like contractions but feels like contractions. I can’t time it because it’s pretty much non-stop. I felt a bit weird last night so took my blood pressure and it was slightly raised (139/96). This morning, I felt really dizzy and my blood pressure was really low (86/42). When I’ve measured it throughout this morning, my blood pressure is high (not dangerously high though) and then I suddenly feel dizzy and it drops - even though I haven’t moved or changed anything. My heart rate is going between 130bpm and 180bpm. The baby hasn’t moved this morning at all.

DH phoned the hospital and dropped me off. I went to the antenatal ward and they immediately directed me to the delivery suite. The midwife showed me to a room and said someone would be with me soon. That was almost two hours ago. Is this normal for a wait? I don’t know if they think I’m in labour or not and I’m worried about the blood pressure and CTG not being done.

I don’t want to be a pain or nag anyone, I don’t know if I’ve been forgotten. I don’t know what’s normal.

Call a midwife and just express your concerns. They should be happy to help and address your concerns x

If no one has been in at all I would ask what’s happening just incase. Maybe they are not overly concerned and have urgent care to attend to but just incase I would ask.

Hope you’re ok, try and stay as calm as you can but definitely ask as it’s not worth the risk x

What a worry, sorry you’re going through that

Maternity services are really stretched ATM so they’re not likely ignoring you but probably have other cases going on. I’d go and remind them that you’re there but bear in mind they probably know.

Yes, you should have been seen by now IMO though

Also sounds like no one has assessed you yet?? Definitely ask in that case.

I don’t want to be a pain or nag anyone, I don’t know if I’ve been forgotten

Please be a pain and nag. If you've been forgotten then you'll be letting them know you're there or if they haven't forgotten you then they'll reassure you that someone will be in soon. Keep nagging!

First thing we did when someone arrived on delivery suite was to check baby’s heartbeat. Always the first thing. Give them a buzz and ask.

Stand at he desk and tell the clerk you haven't felt your baby moving for hours. That you have constant pain and you want to be seen immediately.

That doesn’t sound normal. I’d go to the desk and check whether they’ve forgotten you. If you have severe pain and aren’t feeling movements they need to assess you for placental abruption.

Definitely make a fuss! I'm also in for monitoring this morning and have waited ages (so bored) but the difference is they checked things were basically ok right away and it's only the further monitoring I'm waiting for which takes second place behind emergencies.

This is an emergency and you need to be seen NOW if they haven't even listened in to baby or done any other initial obs on you?

Or if you don't want to do that, pull the emergency cord in the room

Definitely advocate for yourself- have you even been triaged?

Is DH or someone else coming in to be with you?

Do you have a buzzer? You need to check you haven't been forgotten. Or go to the desk? Make clear you still haven't felt baby move. Now is the time to make a fuss.

I don’t want to be a pain or nag anyone screw that. This is one of the times in life when it is more than ok to "nag".

And why isn't DH with you? Is that a covid thing?

As is always the way, they came immediately after I posted this. They’ve checked my obs and put me on a CTG now.

It's not nagging to remind them that you are there!

I was forgotten on a ward for 2 days (without medical review) and wish I'd spoken up sooner.

Hope you and baby are ok OP 🤞

Glad you've been checked on now. Hope everything's ok x