Who to turn to for reassurance?

[jenbird]

I am 22 weeks and feel like crap. I have had a headache for months now and am taking paracetomol everyday. I barely feel my baby move yet (I do have an anterior placenta) and my bump does not seem to be getting bigger. I am just worried about the whole thing. I suspect that my iron levels are low which explains why I feel crap.

I phoned my midwife last week and was completely fobbed off. She had no interest in me at all and told me to call the gp. I phoned again this morning as I haven't received my exemption cert (free prescriptions one) and again was completely fobbed off with a speak to your gp. When I phone for an appointment with the gp I have to wait for 2 weeks to even get one. I just want some reassurance and feel so let down by the system but I don't know who to turn to.

Sorry for the whinge x

Firstly, I'd just start taking iron tablets. I was having terrible headaches but they've got better now I'm taking more iron (I was taking 200mg per day and got upped to 600mg) about 6 weeks ago.

I'm sorry your mw isn't being very helpful. Can you call the mw team or ask the doctors surgery to get another mw to speak to you. I'm surprised the haven't got you in for an appt, my surgery and mw's are always really over cautious with pregnant women. If you get nowhere with them then I'd suggest just going to a walk in clinic. You might have to wait a while but at least you'll get seen sooner than 2 weeks' time. Also when is your next appt booked with the mw?

Ring maternity triage and go in today. Last thing you want is to take iron if you don't need it as you may never pooh again! Movements should be checked too. I would present myself at triage or GP today and get all your normal checks done.

Yep my midwife (I've only jus met at 37 weeks she has been off sick ) is hopeless as were the stand in ones ! Also gp appointments are like gold dust ! I went to a and e in the end at 26 weeks as jus wanted to actually b checked over ! And they were so good and all was well xx

2 WEEKS FOR A GP APPOINTMENT??? I feel so sorry for you

I think you should start taking iron anyway. It won't harm you and your headaches might get over.

I can sympathise, I had a headache on and off for about 4 or 5 weeks at around 23 wks pg, and its bloody horrible. I tried not to take paracetamol though as mu midwife told that the longer i could go without it, the better. Not sure what she meant by that but I listened anyway. I thought my iron levels were low or my BP was a bit wrong but in the end it just sort of worked itself out. i did make a few changes to my diet and lifestyle to help though. First of all, I drank absolutely LOADS of water. Laid of the tea completely, to the point where I wouldn't drink it at all. I started nibbling on a little chocolate too, it seemed to help ease the headaches. And the best thing I did was not to lie in, I am up at 7.30am for work everyday and by having an extra hour or so in bed, it made me feel worse so at the weekends i got up as normal. I've had a few headaches since but absolutely nothing compared to how they were. Hope this helps and that you start to feel better soon.

Thanks for your replies. I have managed to get a phone app tomorrow and hope they will refer me for a blood test. I started taking a natural iron supplement too so hopefully that will kick in. I hate taking paracetamol so much but it is the only way I can get through the day.
I know I am not drinking enough either but am going to have to come up with a strategy I think. If I drink a lot in one go it makes me sick and aggravates my already hideous indigestion.
God what a moaner I am - not normally like this! X

I know what you mean, I don't like water.. absolutely bloody hate the stuff but even just a bit of cordial helped it go down, and unlike my DP who constantly thrusts pints of the stuff at me I cant neck it very easily. Sip it throughout the day in a bottle or keep a glass topped up at home or work and it really does make a difference xx

No I can't drink water but buy the strawberry evian one ! And it's easy to drink out the bottle !

Hi, I am also struggling with hydration, and find drinking fluids straight makes me feel ill, but have found ice lollies and lots of fruit (esp. melon & grapes) go down a lot easier.