I am 39 weeks pregnant and I had my doctors appointment today and she did not measure my belly or do an internal exam is that normal? she has been checking me from 36 weeks until now? My BP was also 104/47 and that is not normal but they did not seem concerned. Should I be concerned especially if I feel contractions and my back aches?
2006-08-28 17:54:50 · 13 answers · asked by angel_for_u_00 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Your pregnancy is at term, and if you were to go into labor now, everything should go as scheduled. Your blood pressure is a little low, but not to the point that you need to be concerned. In pregnancy, the concern is with high blood pressure, yours is a low normal. Your doctor most likely did not see the need to measure your abdomen this time around, you are at term and the measurements would not have differed that much from the previous week. Also, as far as your internal exam, you kind of have to judge based on what his/her findings were at your last visit. Did your doctor indicate to you that your cervix was soft, ripe, effaced, beginning to dilate, or any of these? If it is your first baby, cervical effacement (thinning) and some dilation (sometimes up to 2 or 3 centimeters) occurs in the final weeks of pregnancy before labor actually starts. With a first baby, the cervix must be 80% to 100% effaced, meaning there is just a thin membrane of cervix over the baby's head and membranes containing the amniotic fluid, before labor begins. With a second or subsequent pregnancy, the effacement and dilation often do not start until labor starts. If you are beginning to feel contractions and your back is aching, try to relax at home until it becomes too uncomfortable for you, provided that your membranes are intact and have not ruptured. Try to keep track of your contractions and time them. If you are starting labor, the contractions will become regular, start to become stronger and will start to last longer. You may notice an increase in vaginal discharge, and maybe some slight bleeding. This is called the "bloody show" and is indicative of the cervix dilating. Note what time this happens, and also note if you have some leaking of fluid or a gush of fluid from the vagina. If any of these things happen, you should go to the hospital, and take your overnight bag with you. Best of Luck.
2006-08-28 18:14:01 · answer #1 · answered by brendalyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would expect that the doctor would measure your belly and check your cervix at this gestation. the blood pressure is not a concern. the top number is normal. the bottom number is somewhat low, but if you are young and healthy, it is probably fine. low blood pressure in an otherwise healthy young woman is not a concern unless the blood pressure is less than 80 systolic (top number), or the woman has symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, shortness of breath, and an increased heart rate.
this does not apply if there is a pathologic reason for the low blood pressure, such as dehydration, blood loss or infection. but if the person is healthy and feels fine, that blood pressure should be okay.
i would expect you to have some contractions at this gestation. and your back may ache intermittently with contractions or continuously from the strain of carrying around your belly. if you think that you are in labor, you can call your doctor and ask her what you should do next.
good luck with your baby.
2006-08-28 18:03:45 · answer #2 · answered by seelie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An internal exam may not be necessary if you had one at your last check-up. Internal exams are mainly to make sure your not dilating to soon. If you are dilated now it would be normal and even expected based on how far along you are. And at this point measuring your stomach is usually pointless, you should defiantly be showing, and as long as you are steadily gaining weight and have been so far, measuring is no longer necessary. It's pretty normal for your back to hurt during pregnancy and labor. Contractions are also pretty common since you are so far along. They could just be "practice" contractions, your bodies way of getting ready. If you start having contractions that come at regular intervals and increase in intensity, or your water breaks, go to wherever your planing on giving birth. Your baby will be fine if it is delivered now. It's had plenty of time to develop, and your due date could be off a little bit.
2006-08-28 18:21:37 · answer #3 · answered by stubborn 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She didn't check you? Did you tell her that you are having contractions and your back aches? Did she walk out of the room for a minute and maybe forgot to check you?
Are you hydrated? One of the biggest culprits for early labor/contractions is dehydration. You should be drinking atleast half your body weight in ounces of water every day.
Is this your first pregnancy? If so, you are probably having Braxton Hicks...pre-contractions. Your body is gearing up for the big day. If the contractions you are feeling get more intense/painful and closer together...call your doctor.
If you can't sleep from the pain, then just call the doctor to reassure yourself. That is what they get paid for. Babies don't live by schedules, so don't be worried about bothering your doctor. She is getting paid the big bucks and having to do her job at all hours of the day or not is the nature of the beast. Call her if you are concerned.
If she gets mad, then maybe you need a new doctor.
2006-08-28 18:02:36 · answer #4 · answered by Bubbles 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That doesn't sound right at all. I would be concerned. Have you had any other problems with this doctor?
Call tomorrow, ask why you weren't checked. If you're not happy about the answer, demand an appointment for tomorrow where you will be checked. The doctor provides a service. I've met many who think they are God and act as such. But that doctor works for you! Make her earn her paycheck same as everyone else!
As for that blood pressure, if it were me with those numbers, I'd be heading for the E.R. If what is going on with your body is concerning you, go to the hospital NOW!
Good luck!
2006-08-28 18:01:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
What kind of quacks do you have there posing as doctors? Sheesh. Go to a hospital and have them check you out. Your BP is way too low and your ob/gyn sounds like an incompetent moron so yeah I would say you should be concerned.
2006-08-28 18:03:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The doctor probably didnt want to rupture your water, or cause the cervix to dilate. Internal exams can bring on labor. Sounds like you will be having that baby real soon anyway. Best of Luck!!
2006-08-28 17:58:12 · answer #7 · answered by Lemme tell ya... 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that is COMPLETELY normal. your doctor didn't want to take a chance of disrupting the last week (or 3) of your pregnancy.
do you know how to time contractions? start timing when you first feel the contraction and don't stop timing it until the next one starts. leave for the hospital when they are 5 minutes apart... OR SOONER if you are having to much discomfort.
2006-08-28 18:16:53 · answer #8 · answered by JayneDoe 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your blood pressure is low I'd be concerned but all Mommy's to be are always concerned if your contractions are 5 minutes apart or water brakes or anything strange like that go to the ER ASAP
2006-08-28 18:02:02 · answer #9 · answered by Moo moo I'm a chicken 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are times that a doctor will not do a pelvic exam on you. Remember that she is the one who went to medical school. If you feel that you are having contractions and wondering what to do visit this website.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/458971
2006-08-28 18:13:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋