28 weeks, pregnant, admitted to maternity ward for abdominal pain

[jmrpinkie]

Am I right to be annoyed. I was in severe pain yesterday evening all down my left side so I attended maternity triage. I couldn’t speak with the pain so they admitted me to the maternity ward. They came around at about 3am and said they think it’s kidney stones and would request an ultrasound for the morning. Doctor came at 10 and said the same thing. Midwife came at 12 and 2 and said it’s been requested but it’s not been picked up by the ultrasound department, I asked again just now and she said because it’s not maternity department it’s not in her control and they’re not picking up, she’s tried and tried and tired. I literally said I could walk over there. She’s now said it might not even be today. I said ok can I go home and come back for the scan - she said well you’re in pain I thought - I mean I’ve met them multiple times today and explained my pain and how it’s improved but not completely gone but I’m also just like why have you not scanned me. I just don’t believe they’ve even really requested it as it’s not their department.

Sounds like you're having a tough time. I don't work in the NHS but where I work in the Irish healthcare system it would be fairly typical to wait more than a day for a routine kidney ultrasound. The order is sitting in the general ultrasound list presumably with all the general hospital patients and emergencies coming in. I would guess the maternity ultrasound team are not qualified to scan a kidney. It sounds really painful but I'm not sure there is anything more they could do for you apart from pain relief fluids and ordering a scan. Hope you get sorted soon. If you go home you'd probably go onto the outpatient ultrasound list which would be ?? months long.

I had to have kidney scans in my last pregnancy. It’s not covered by maternity care, it will be a scan with the general ultrasound clinic and you’ll be triaged with all the other patients. It’s genuinely not the maternity unit’s fault at how long it’s taking, it’s out of their control. However, if you’re in that much pain, I can see why they recommend staying so they can keep an eye on you. Hope it’s sorted soon.

Thanks Guys. This has been really helpful to put it in perspective. You’re right. And the maternity staff have a million other patients and things to do so can’t be chasing a response for my non standard ultrasound.

still here so probably will be in for the night.

Hi, I had kidney stones at 32 weeks when pregnant with my daughter. To be honest I was treat appallingly by my hospital. They thought I was in labour due to me screaming in pain so admitted me to labour ward and monitored me but when they realized I wasn't, they moved me to the maternity ward. A midwife there told me I was exaggerating and I must have a low pain threshold 😱 they did do a scan of my kidneys but I now know the stones had already moved to my bladder so they didn't see them on it, just said my kidney was dilated which can be normal in pregnancy 🙄 they discharged me on the Tuesday not knowing what it was(pain was a lot better but I still didn't feel right) then on the Friday I passed the stones on my own at home when going for a wee!! So just giving you my story in case similar happens to you! All was fine in the end, my daughter wasn't affected and was born at 38+5 x

Aw it must be so miserable for you and it's definitely not ideal to be waiting but just wanted to put it in perspective that it's normal to have to wait and I don't think it's a sign that they're not following it up properly. I totally get that when you're so uncomfortable you would much rather go home but it really is much better to stay in and get everything done sorted as an Inpatient, once you agree to go home from a hospital you aren't really treated as a priority. Best of luck, hopefully you're early on the list tomorrow.

Oh this is interesting. How long did the really intense pain last ? Mine was from like 7 last night till 5am. They gave me lots of pain relief. It’s been ok today but I can feel it again ramping up now. I also think I’m constipated/not passing any wind. Were you still in pain after they scanned you?

I'm sorry you went through that. That must have been really stressful especially when you had no idea what was going on to begin with.

My big fear is the pain won’t go away - I know catastrophising in the hospital - not ideal.

@jmrpinkie Mine was about a similar time frame. It came on very suddenly though and was all down the left side of my back. I was literally screaming in pain by the time I got to the hospital and they gave me loads of pain relief including tramadol! The pain never got as bad again for me, I just didn't feel right until I passed the stones. The agonizing pain is the stones moving from the kidney to the bladder! I really hope you get it sorted soon and find out what is causing all this, the not knowing is the worst 😔 x

Thank you. I’ve had a scan today and hasn’t showed up any kidney stones at all. Still in so much pain so I’ve no idea what is going on and they don’t seem to have a plan for me. Just that if the pain continues I could be there for quite a while for them to manage it but that can’t be the plan either.