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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Shoulder pain- am I being silly.

34 replies

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 10:17

I’m really in two minds of what to do.

last night out of the blue I had sudden sharp shoulder pain. It is all over my shoulder and is now a little down my arm. It took me by surprise and was very painful. I called 111 as am between 5-6 weeks pregnant. Spoke to an out of hours gp who got me an appointment. He told me not to worry and that it isn’t ectopic as I have no cramping no bleeding and no pressure. To just go home and take paraceptomol. Well it’s been around 7 hours since we got home and I am still in pain. It doesn’t feel muscular and I have never had this in other pregnancies. I said to dp that I think I want to call epu and he has said that the doctors were not worried at all and I need to not worry. Just not sure what to do. Has anyone else experienced this.

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 03/08/2026 10:19

Don’t ignore it - go back to EPU

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 10:20

rubyslippers · 03/08/2026 10:19

Don’t ignore it - go back to EPU

Just to say it wasn’t epu I have seen. Just an out of hours gp who I must admit did not really seem interested at all.

OP posts:
ZebraPyjamas · 03/08/2026 10:21

If you’re worried contact the epu, don’t make a decision based on what people tell you here. If it turns out to be nothing then so what!

I had severe left shoulder pain at around 7 weeks and was sent into hospital as GP suspected clot in my lung. They also scanned for ectopic. Turned out to be neither of those things and they never figured out what it actually was but pain eventually went away after about two weeks.

Kipperz · 03/08/2026 10:24

Do call EPU. They can scan and reassure you if it’s not ectopic. It’s an emergency OP.

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 10:29

Thank you

think I’m just in two minds as the doctor and my dp both don’t seem concerned. My dp thinks if it was an emergency they would have sent us to a&e. The gp almost made it seem like I was wasting his time as there was no bleeding or cramping.

OP posts:
Kipperz · 03/08/2026 10:42

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 10:29

Thank you

think I’m just in two minds as the doctor and my dp both don’t seem concerned. My dp thinks if it was an emergency they would have sent us to a&e. The gp almost made it seem like I was wasting his time as there was no bleeding or cramping.

Male GPs can be absolutely rubbish with women’s health. Did you mention ectopic pregnancies to him?

Can you call the community midwives in your area? Even if you haven’t been booked in yet, they can offer advice.

Woodsock · 03/08/2026 10:44

Go to the EPU or A&E now. Ignore the GP.

W0tnow · 03/08/2026 10:44

I don’t know much about anything but even I know sudden sharp shoulder pain in early pregnancy needs to be followed up to rule out ectopic.

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 10:51

Kipperz · 03/08/2026 10:42

Male GPs can be absolutely rubbish with women’s health. Did you mention ectopic pregnancies to him?

Can you call the community midwives in your area? Even if you haven’t been booked in yet, they can offer advice.

I did mention it and he just said it absolutely is not an ectopic as I have no cramping or bleeding. The pain is not nice. I have the number for epu think I will call.

OP posts:
Kipperz · 03/08/2026 10:54

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 10:51

I did mention it and he just said it absolutely is not an ectopic as I have no cramping or bleeding. The pain is not nice. I have the number for epu think I will call.

Please call them. Good luck 🤞🏻

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 11:31

Have spoken to epu, triage is gonna call me in next couple hours. The person on the phone did not seem happy with what gp said really hoping it’s nothing.

OP posts:
Kipperz · 03/08/2026 11:51

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 11:31

Have spoken to epu, triage is gonna call me in next couple hours. The person on the phone did not seem happy with what gp said really hoping it’s nothing.

Good, hopefully it’s still nothing, but it is better to have it checked

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 13:13

Been sent to a&e. wish I’d just gone last night now.

OP posts:
Kipperz · 03/08/2026 13:26

Hope you’re not waiting too long. The GP gave really poor advice.

BoilingHotand50something · 03/08/2026 13:39

good luck OP.

Musicaltheatremum · 03/08/2026 13:46

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 10:17

I’m really in two minds of what to do.

last night out of the blue I had sudden sharp shoulder pain. It is all over my shoulder and is now a little down my arm. It took me by surprise and was very painful. I called 111 as am between 5-6 weeks pregnant. Spoke to an out of hours gp who got me an appointment. He told me not to worry and that it isn’t ectopic as I have no cramping no bleeding and no pressure. To just go home and take paraceptomol. Well it’s been around 7 hours since we got home and I am still in pain. It doesn’t feel muscular and I have never had this in other pregnancies. I said to dp that I think I want to call epu and he has said that the doctors were not worried at all and I need to not worry. Just not sure what to do. Has anyone else experienced this.

That GP is very brave/foolish. Now retired but don't think I'd be as gung ho and I wouldn't have slept knowing I hadn't seen you. I have noticed this sometimes in the triage, trying to get the patients history to fit their narrative (diagnosis) rather than taking the history and coming up with a differential diagnosis.
I see from a later post you've been sent to a&e. You will 99.9% be fine but my defence union and stress levels would prefer that you were properly checked out.

DoYouThinkAbout · 03/08/2026 13:47

Wishing you the best of luck... 💐

Kipperz · 03/08/2026 15:46

Thinking of you OP

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 15:54

Well I’m here
they have done an external scan. Said don’t see internal bleeding but can’t see anything in uterus. They are taking bloods and if they are ok they said I can go and call epu for a scan. Dont know what to think. Was hoping they would do an internal as external doesn’t seem that great given I could be as early as 5 weeks

OP posts:
Kipperz · 03/08/2026 16:10

EPU should be better set up to check. Can you call them now whilst you wait for the blood tests and book in?

7238SM · 03/08/2026 16:39

You made the right decision to call them. Wishing you all the best x

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 18:34

Being sent to gynae ward after bloods and told not to eat or drink but nothing else. Has anyone had this and all been ok? On own due to partner needing to be with kids

OP posts:
Sfex1 · 03/08/2026 18:40

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 18:34

Being sent to gynae ward after bloods and told not to eat or drink but nothing else. Has anyone had this and all been ok? On own due to partner needing to be with kids

Sorry OP, that sounds like they are suspecting an ectopic and potentially needing surgery. That’s what happened with my ectopic, they did an internal scan once I was on the ward to confirm. Thinking of you x

Kipperz · 03/08/2026 18:57

Sorry to hear your update OP, is there anyone who could babysit so DP can be with you?

Autumn02 · 03/08/2026 21:12

narnia2025 · 03/08/2026 18:34

Being sent to gynae ward after bloods and told not to eat or drink but nothing else. Has anyone had this and all been ok? On own due to partner needing to be with kids

Sounds really stressful OP. Hope you’re doing ok