Sounds like a stupid question but - can you talk to the doctor you saw at maternity appointment?

[poppynic]

Warning - tmi message - I had a 32 week appointment with "consultant" but really doctor at the maternity unit yesterday. He prescribed antibiotics for "the infection". He did the whole appointment like a bull at a gate and I didn't get more than a repeated "the infection" when I queried him.

I have two infections that I know of - yeast and Group B Strep. He told me (and wrote on my notes that he explained) that the Group B Strep would be dealt with during labour. (Fine, I've got that). He prescribed a canestan pessary for the thrush. So why have I got amoxycillan?

I rang the midwives at the hospital and the person I spoke to initially said it would be for the thrush, then for the GBS and the problem was it might make the thrush worse! (I have so far had 4 different versions from the hospital of whether they would treat the GBS pre-labour).

I asked if I could speak by phone to the doctor I saw (as I would really like to know his reason for prescribing antibiotics) and the midwife said "no". Is that right?

I also see on my notes doc has written that I said it "stinks(smells)" - when in fact I said "stings" - none of me smells - yes, it's all lavender scented..... (but would this error have changed his prescription?)

I think you should skip the midwives and call the consultant (via his secretary) directly. Either that or speak to the head midwife and ask him/her to speak directly to the consultant, find the answer and call you back. Most hospitals these days try to live up to a set of standards of care, one of which is often that a clear explanation of treatment should be given to patients. It is not for all these midwives to be second guessing why the consultant has made a particular decision; you need that from the horse's mouth.

Thanks - it wasn't the consultant I saw (although that name was written on my appointment card), it was one of the doctors working with the consultant. - Can I contact him through the consultant's secretary? (I'm a bit nervous of calling the consultant tbh .)

antibiotics can make thrush worse.......and the group B strep is dealt with at the time of labour....agree with Plibble...speak to the sec. and make sure that you have been prescribed the proper treatment...esp if he wasn;t hearing you properly!

x post !

Yes. The doctor may have gone off shift or something, but the consultant's secretary should be able to give him a message to call you.

Wow - thanks ladies for your encouragement and advice - have just boldly rung consultants sec (away), and, even more boldly, paged the doctor (I always thought paging was for emergencies) - anyway .... he confirmed that the pessary was for the thrush, the GBS to be treated during labour and he said the amoxycillan was for infection coz I said the urine stinks! I explained, no I said the area stings - he said okay, no amoxycillan!!! I've already had two but guess that won't do any harm. Mumsnet posters rock.