Getting checked after a fall

[GorillaGlue]

Hi everyone!

Long time lurker here :) I have finally signed up hoping someone can give me some
reassurance or tell me about their experience.

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant after a couple of cycles of IVF and have been very anxious throughout.

Yesterday night, I slipped in the bathroom and fell straight onto my bum and back. Whilst that was very painful, it’s more the thought of me falling like a cartoon character slipping on a banana peel 😂 I didn’t fall on or hit my tummy I don’t think and felt otherwise fine. I’ve been having those early fluttering movements for a couple of weeks now (more so in the evenings) and I thought I didn’t feel them as much since the fall so went in to be assessed today.

In the assessment unit, they were really lovely, checked my blood pressure and urine and checked the baby’s heartbeat for about 30 seconds with the little Doppler machine Midwife said the heartbeat was fine at this moment in time and sent me on my way. I was in and out in less than 20 minutes!!

So my question is, whilst I’m happy, is this the kind of assessment you ladies have seen or experienced? Is it enough and what’s usually done, just a quick heartbeat check? Should I have asked for an ultrasound or something?
And what do I do going forwards? I don’t have a scan coming up for ages so would you recommend I book a private one or see how things go?

Sorry I’m just super anxious so any advice would be brilliant! Thank you!

Ouchhh, that sounds painful, I hope your ok!

Try to relax as much as possible this evening and feel for movements as you usually would. If your feeling a change in usual movements and are still worried and feeling anxious give them another call and get checked again xx

I fell over whilst running at 18 weeks and the midwife was happy that if there was no bleeding and the heartbeat was all okay then no further checks needed, but was told to come back if anything changed.

Thanks @Twinklydreamer22!
I am ok, just sore and bruised. I’ll try to put my feet up and keep an eye out for those movements.

They wouldn’t normally be doing routine ultrasounds for something like this at this stage would they? I’m just worried I didn’t push for more to be done but perhaps there isn’t more to be done? Argh I hate now nervous this all gets you! 😬😭

Ah thank you! This is part of what I was a bit anxious about, should I have asked for something more?

Hope you and baby are both ok! Very impressed at your ability to go running, that’s amazing! I’m like a winded elephant these days and its not even that late in the day 😂

I’m now 28 weeks, and all has been absolutely fine since ☺️ Not sure what yours was like, but the midwife I saw was very reassuring that baby is very well padded in there! I’d definitely see how you feel though, and if you feel you need to be seen again, just phone them, they’ve always been really happy to provide some further reassurance when needed!

If it makes you feel better I fell on my bump at about 32 weeks and no ultrasound was done. BP and heart monitor and a check that baby was moving (which he only did once I got to hospital).

All was fine apart from my SPD getting worse and from then on I needed crutches to move any distance.

Glad it’s going well for you! And that’s reassuring to hear that baby is well protected. I guess the layer of padding on my bum is just extra protection then and not a reason to give up chocolate 😉

The midwife was nice but didn’t give me much information, just said heartbeat is fine and to keep an eye out. But yes, I’ll see how things go, hopefully my anxiety will settle soon!

Oof sorry to hear that @Bakingwithmyboys! Glad you and baby are both ok, although the SPD does not sound fun! Hope you're getting on ok with the crutches!

That does reassure me that they didn’t do an ultrasound, which means it’s probably not indicated as routine in cases like this. How did they check baby was moving? I’m assuming they do that once movements are more established rather than these flutterings that I’m getting at this stage?

Hi OP, honestly try not to worry!

They wouldn’t normally do an ultrasound for that no, even once you are further into pregnancy if you have to go in due to reduced movements they don’t do an ultrasound they just pop you on the monitors. At only 23 weeks you’re too early for that monitoring to be used hence them just doing the doppler. It is scary and pregnancy is such an anxious time but honestly try not to stress x

Thank you @Mrsttcno1 for being so supportive. This is very reassuring to hear!

Yes I did suspect it was too early for the monitors they strap on but I wasn’t too sure so that’s cleared it up for me! Thank you 🤩

well, there is nothing to check for, dont worry - most babies survive most falls, and those that don't were unlikely to get through the pregnancy anyway

I slipped in the bath onto my back at 35 weeks pregnant. I rang the maternity ward and they were just like okay ? What do you want us to do ? I just said I wanted advice on what to do or if I should worry, but they didn't care 😪 luckily I had a scan booked the next day anyway and everything was fine

it isn't a case of not caring, it is literally what do you want them to do? There isn't anything to do

Thanks @tomorrowisanotherdate! It’s good to hear that there’s nothing really to check for, I was just worried and overthinking I think. I’ll see how I get on 😊

Oh gosh @Messy1 that sounds horrible!! I’m sorry you were fobbed off, I would have definitely been ringing up and going in!

I agree, I would have wanted some advice or reassurance or something. Really glad everything was ok with your scan, what luck that you had it booked for the next day! At least you didn’t have to wait long for some reassurance!

I could feel baby moving after the fall so I didn't feel like I needed to go in , but they really didn't care to give advice or reassurance

Some advice and reassurance really.

I fainted at 23 weeks and bashed my head off the floor..rang maternity assessment and they weren't concerned at all just told me to rest and take paracetamol. Still felt unwell 2 days later so went to GP who was not happy that the MAU hadnt told me to go in.
I would say though if they checked heartbeat and you didn't fall on to the bump all will be fine, my dog has jumped full on to my bump a few times (she weighs 10kg) and hasnt caused any damage..they are well protected in there.

I’m glad you were happy with how baby was moving but it’s awful that you were fobbed off! Things like this can be so scary and sometimes some reassurance is all you need to feel better 💐

Oh @JRTfan that sounds super scary! What happened? I hope you and baby are both ok? Did they work out why you fainted?

Hahaha sounds like your dog is excited for baby’s arrival! But that’s very reassuring for me, I think I’ve wrapped myself in cotton wool a bit which is probably not doing my anxiety levels any favours! Yes they said heartbeat was ok so fingers crossed 😊

@GorillaGlue all tests came back clear so nothing scary going on just drop in blood pressure which happens in pregnancy sometimes. I've had it a few times since but now I'm aware can prevent a full faint by lying on the floor..not ideal in the office!
The dog is just a bit of an excitable fool sometimes and has no idea she needs to be careful.
I hope everything goes smoothly for you from now on..

Glad it wasn’t anything too serious and I think lying on the office floor is completely acceptable 😉

Thank you though! I hope it goes well too, I need to try and be careful but also not get too anxious about it all xx