Pains in pg GP seems disbelieving

[chocbiscuits]

Had a bunch of trouble at work about days worked at home and days worked onsite. Had my flexible working application turned down and the gist of it is that it has all been really horrid and one boss has sent some particularly nasty mails. All very stressful.

Started getting strange bump pains, all over the bump and usually start at the top. They come on about lunchtime but I only ever get them on days working onsite (Loooong commute, stressful encounters with boss, poorer sleep and sitting down from about 7am till 5.45 ish (short walk at lunch)). Pains usually go away after a nights sleep except last week when they lasted from Wendesday early afternoon until Friday night. Luckily I'm due to go off on maternity leave mid-July, although am 21 weeks currently.
Not allowed to take any holiday, been to GP and described pains, hoping she would say something about signing off or recommending working at home more often. Not at all sure she believed it or something as said she wanted to speak to midwife. GP says no danger to baby.
All worried about it now.....

poor you!
could it be braxton-hicks? though you didn't say the pain is crampy, the location (starting on top but spreading all over bump) and timing (i think they can start anytime from 18wks) would fit.
also, just form my own experience, with ds1, i was in a job with a 4-hr daily commute, which involved trains and tubes where no one seemed to ever stand up (even when i was 7/8 months pg), and i suffered massive bh-s (thinking back it was probably stress related, as i was also finishing off phd: all very stressfull!)
i hope your mw will listen, and that you can stick it out for another 2 wks. hoefully you'll be able to relax afterwards on you maternity leave.
good luck!

Know what? My gp is rubbish too. It is well known that if a mother goes to the doctor and says there's something wrong with my baby, no sypmtoms or anything, he just isn't right, etc. it takes a really rubbish doctor not to listen to the maternal instincts.
So, the way I see it, you know your body and the baby you are carrying.
Although I agree that it probably is braxton hicks, it's not worth the risk and if you are at all concerned and are not happy with the treatment from the gp, I personally would be staright at the hospital. EPU, day assessment unit, A&E, anywhere where there is another doctor.

To put it another way, would you be worried about the pains if you weren't stressed at work? They sound like BHs which are pretty common and not harmful to the baby (and a good sign that your body is getting ready for labour).

Could you concentrate on getting through the next couple of weeks without too much hassle? Are you thinking of going back to your job after you've had the baby?

Thanks v. much all. Doc said she was going to ring me today after talking to midwife and didn't!

Honey bunny 4hr commute dreadful, mine is driving but 1.30 each way.
Hope you dont have to do that any more.

I have to go back for 6 months after leave or pay all maternity pay (-SMP) back. Am hoping to go back part-time (Very!), but it means going through the flexible working proposal procedure again. Just really hoping boss will leave while am away on maternity leave!!!!

Pains hurt! Logistically mean can't really sit down which is a problem when you work with computers. Don't get the pains when I work at home. And theres the driving to think about.....

They can't make you pay maternity pay back. I'm sure they can't. I'd look into that if I was you. I told my (ex)boss the week before I was due back that I wasn't going.
Please double check that you have topay it back, I've never heard that. Go to Citizens Advice or something.

Having to pay the excess money above SMP back is common in certain jobs eg teaching
it's all legal and above board

littleboyblue -- you can't be required to pay SMP back, but if your employer gives you extra over and above that then they can require you to pay that back. It's perfectly standard.

Oh, I see. How strange. Sorry for posting incorrect info then.
Goodluck with it all

Ta - Hooray - turned out the Doc was consulting half the universe (other colleagues, midwife and obstetrician) and they have all decided I should be advised to work at home as much as possible thence avoiding loooooong commute.
Only one week left though before maternity leave now!

Phew! What a relief. Thanks for listening to rambles...

not such a baddy then, your gp!
don't worry about the rambles... i can imagine why you are getting fed up/stressed out/etc.
commuting is horrible, esp. when pg!

and thanks for checking about my commute : no i am not doing that horrendous journey anymore, now it's about 5 mins door to door for me. good luck in your last week!