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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ignore 111 advice?

25 replies

Canwesleepyet · 01/08/2023 20:22

Hi ladies, not sure how best to handle this and some advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve had three bowel movements today - all of which have been coated in blood. I’m pregnant (13 weeks).
Did have piles very early on in pregnancy but these have resolved and haven’t had any issues for the last 5 weeks or so.
I’ve had an anal fissure in the past which caused bleeding when I wiped but not blood in my stool like this. I don’t think it is a fissure, because once I’ve wiped there are no dots of blood on the toilet paper if that makes sense. The blood turns the toilet water pink, but not bright red. The blood is red I would say - not bright fresh cut red but definitely not black.

I do feel dizzy and very tired - but I’ve been working 9-7pm today on my feet all day so I’m not sure if it’s just because of that and pregnancy! I’ve got a headache too which I’ve had on and off for the last few days.

I have had some twinges in my tummy/hips throughout the day but again not sure whether this is related to the poo issue or just pregnancy and being on my feet.

I’m not sure what to do now. I put my symptoms into the 111 website which said to call 999 but that seems like complete overkill! I could go to A&E, but to be honest I am totally exhausted and the idea of waiting there for hours fills me with dread - which makes me think I am not ill enough to need to be there! I don’t think it is an accident or an emergency? I could call EPAS in the morning but I think they only look at the baby/scan side of things? Do I just call the GP tomorrow? Or am I under reacting/should I call 111?

Thank you in advance!

OP posts:
onlyamam · 01/08/2023 20:23

Ignore 111 and call the midwives/maternity centre nearest to you. If you're worried, they will take you seriously.

Pinkitydrinkity · 01/08/2023 20:23

I’d call 111 in the first instance and see what they say. Hope you are feeling better soon!

nocoolnamesleft · 01/08/2023 20:24

A&E sounds like a good idea, if you're dizzy as well.

FortofPud · 01/08/2023 20:26

I don't think anyone would tell you to ignore that I'm afraid. That's not to say it's panic worthy, but it does need checking out. I agree 999 seems way ott, but getting it seen to at a&e/maternity triage/111 seems like a sensible way to go given the dizziness.

Summerrainstorminagain · 01/08/2023 20:28

You could Call maternity triage for advice but as you're under 12 weeks they're probably likely to say go to a&e and not be very helpful. Personally I'd just go to A&E with the symptoms you're presenting with.

Summerrainstorminagain · 01/08/2023 20:28

Sorry you're 13 weeks, all the 111 I read you as 11 weeks either way hospital.

Bleepbloopbluurp · 01/08/2023 20:29

I don't think it is normal to be exhausted at only 13 weeks pregnant, nor to be dizzy etc and the fact you are obviously also bleeding somewhere isn't ideal. I think you need checking out.

I don't think it's an A&E emergency but I do think you should contact your MW team first thing.

Ukholidaysaregreat · 01/08/2023 20:29

Yes, ring the maternity triage and see what they say. They might ask you to go in for tests.

PeloMom · 01/08/2023 20:29

Last time I had similar thing (without the pregnancy) was internal bleeding. When I explained the symptoms was told I must be seen in person as they had to do an exam. Do you have out of hours GP or access to midwives etc?

TeaKitten · 01/08/2023 20:29

Summerrainstorminagain · 01/08/2023 20:28

You could Call maternity triage for advice but as you're under 12 weeks they're probably likely to say go to a&e and not be very helpful. Personally I'd just go to A&E with the symptoms you're presenting with.

She’s 13 weeks.

OP call maternity triage and seek their advice too if you want to, but it needs checking out tonight. A&E is totally worthwhile, nobody wants to wait around in a&e, it doesn’t mean you aren’t ill enough.

TeaKitten · 01/08/2023 20:30

Summerrainstorminagain · 01/08/2023 20:28

Sorry you're 13 weeks, all the 111 I read you as 11 weeks either way hospital.

Crossposted

Summer2424 · 01/08/2023 20:31

Hi @Canwesleepyet i think call 111 and they will get a doctor to call you. Hope you feel better xx

ChannelyourinnerElsa · 01/08/2023 20:32

id call 111, and see about an out of hours GP.

YukoandHiro · 01/08/2023 20:33

onlyamam · 01/08/2023 20:23

Ignore 111 and call the midwives/maternity centre nearest to you. If you're worried, they will take you seriously.

Agree with this. Call your MAU.

Frankenpug23 · 01/08/2023 20:34

I would go to a and e - can someone drive you as you say you are feeling dizzy - this needs investigation I’m afraid - take care of yourself

SullysBabyMama · 01/08/2023 20:38

I would call 111 and see if you can see an out of hours GP?
Do you have that near you?
Doesn’t seem to be directly related to the pregnancy so not sure midwife is the right person, and agree it’s not an accident or emergency (yet).
If the GP thinks you need to be seen at A and E they will soon send you- especially being pregnant.

QuestionableMouse · 01/08/2023 20:39

You'd be mad to ignore this.

Sounds like you're quite ill and probably not thinking straight.

Follow the advice!

UpUpUpU · 01/08/2023 20:44

Don't bother with midwives, they'll send you straight to hospital. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
Canwesleepyet · 01/08/2023 21:12

Thank you all for the advice - I was expecting lots of replies saying it’s probably just piles/a fissure and not to worry. Called 111 and they said a clinician will call me back within half an hour and if I haven’t heard from them by then they will send an ambulance - which seems very extreme! Hopefully all will be sorted soon - still feeling headachey/dizzy but not too awful. Feel guilty that I am time wasting but equally you are all right that something could be wrong and it should be looked at.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 01/08/2023 21:20

Very glad you're getting help!

DrCharlotteKing · 01/08/2023 21:32

Glad you called op, its worth being seen by a doctor. Hopefully it is just piles or similar, but always worth getting checked out.

Bleepbloopbluurp · 02/08/2023 07:49

How are you today OP?

Original poster
Canwesleepyet · 02/08/2023 15:52

Apologies for not updating - ambulance service called me yesterday, and said an out of hours doctor would call within six hours. They ended up calling at 3:30am but I was fast asleep and missed it, so have called the GP and have an appointment this evening. I do feel better today but the bloody stool has continued. I am still a bit dizzy and tired, as well as the headaches continuing, but this has been pretty standard so far this pregnancy so unsure if it’s related. GP appointments are like gold dust around here so I’m surprised/pleased I’ve managed to get one - fingers crossed all is well. I did speak to the midwife earlier today who said it’s likely to be nothing serious and is a GP issue not midwifery which was reassured me.
thank you all for your advice, will update after my appointment for anyone else who may come across the thread in a similar situation!

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 02/08/2023 22:10

What did the GP say? Glad you got seen

Daphnis156 · 02/08/2023 22:18

111 now seems to be staffed by non medical call centre type staff, whose main motive is to fob you off.

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