Dealing with the OB.....?

Question

Read all before answering please...

I am currently 35-1/2 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child...
With my first child I went into preterm labor at 29 weeks, and with meds they were able to hold me of untill 39 weeks.

With this current pregnancy I havent had any problems untill Saturday night.... I cut my hand a little and within a few hours my hand was numb, and tingly up to my elbow...
I called my OB and asked him what it could be, that honestly the cut wasnt big enough to even bleed 2 tablespoons worth, and not very deep at all,, like a large paper cut. He suggested I go to the ER and get checked out just in case...

So I go to the ER and they tell me I have to be cleared up in L&D before I can be evaluated in the ER, I said fine... Went up to L&D, they hooked me up to the monitors, took my Blood preasure, did all the tests and stuff, and after me sitting still for 2 hours I started having contractions.... I know they are just braxton hicks, but the nurses all got scarred

Long story short, I wasnt alowed to get up and move around whiich would have stopped the contractions, so they gave me procardia, and hours later they had stopped enough for me to go home... The on call did do an internal exam, found I was 1cm dialated...

Anyways... the next night I lost my mucous plug, and I was kinda worried when there was a little more blood present than should have normally been from a pelvic exam... So after long talks with hubby i called my OB for his advice... He started yelling at me to get to the hospital asap,

He said we have to put you on meds....
I am on meds already I told him... he was the one that perscribed them... and the meds i was taking was the hgihest dose that can be given, longer story shorter OB was mad at me, And Me and hubby made the decision to stay home and await the big day if it actually came... I cannot afford finacially or whatever(I have an 18motnh old to take care of) To be locked up in a hospital for weeks... I figured 35 weeks is safe enough with babies development and all.... and I cannot be locked up for weeks!(literally we would lose everything finacially)! Sorry but can I get your opinion? Am I doing the right thing?

Is 35 weeks acceptable in the development of a fetus?

PS Im sure OB is super pissed off that I didnt go in, and the only meds they can give me are the ones i am on... I really dont think there is anything else they can do for me in the hospital... My OB was such a jerk on the phone, even in the very beginning of the conversation, probably cause I called him in the middle of the super bowl.

I have had a group B strep test, it was negative... and my OB is the on call ob for the entire area, so no matter if i switch if i need anythign in a hurry it will be from him, and i dont want that to happen with him being angry that I swithced docs, so I do not plan to switch docs... I am just gonna sit hope and wait it out... and more than likely will give birth right on time...

My arm is still all tingly, and they didnt care much about it.. they ingored it, and that was the reason I went to the damn hospital...I was the only one in L&D if you could believe that...so I know they wernt to busy to look at my arm.... I figure they thing I am a cry wolfer with the arm as an excuse to get in to L&D... but all the docs I have talked to keep telling me to tell my OB and when i do he doesnt give a damn... I dont know what to do about that...

Answer 1

Oh my word - you have had a bad time!!
As for the numb and tingly arm thing, did it go away? It sounds like it could be carpal tunnel syndrome which isn't uncommon during pregnancy.
The sending you to L&D before seeing you in the ER is pretty standard practice if you're over 20 weeks pregnant. We joke at work that pregnant women scare the people in ER. It's not true, but they do want to rule out anything that could be pregnancy related - and they don't want to maybe miss something. Since you're dealing with 2 people whenever you deal with expectant women, it's best to err on the side of caution.
Where I work, 35 weeks is considered to be "late pre-term. Babies born at 35-36 weeks still can have problems at delivery, primarily respiratory related.
Have you had a Group B Strep test yet? It's commonly done at about 36 weeks to see if the GroupB is present in the birth canal. Lots of women have it - and it doesn't effect us at all. But, if the baby is exposed to it during the delivery, they can acquire the virus and become septic, requiring an extended stay for antibiotic therapy. The earlier the baby is, the less resistent they can be.
For the baby's sake, it would be best to try to hold off for another week or so - but - let's face it, those little critters have a mind of their own :)
This late in the pregnancy - I know this isn't likely to happen - but, another question - just how comfortable with the treatment you received from your OB? I can't really say, I wasn't there. He seemed to be a bit overbearing with his response to your concerns. He could have been less abrasive it sounds like.
I wish you and your family - including this little 35 weeker - all the best. If it is at all possible, try to relax for now. Then, when you deliver, do me a favor. Kiss that little one on the head for me.
I've worked with babies for just under 30 years, and I never cease to be fascinated and in awe of them.

Answer 2

Well honestly if there was more blood then usual then i would have went in. To be on the safe side. I am no doctor but I think 35 weeks is a little early to be going into labor... that is 5 weeks that your babies lungs need to be able to develop to there full stage. I would have gone to see the doctor atleast to see what he had to say... and to see what he would have prescribed... you could always check yourself out and tell the doctor you need to be able to be home to watch your son and etc. I am sure that if he had you on the correct drugs and you were doing ok after an hour or so they should release you. So honestly i would have gone in if I were you.. you don't want to take those chances with your unborn child... you may see it as an inconvience to you and your hubby and son, but if something is wrong and you didn't go in you will regret that.... i hope you do end up atleast seeing the doctor or just making sure everything is ok... goodluck

Answer 3

" I wasnt alowed to get up and move around whiich would have stopped the contractions,"

that is wrong. If they are real contractions- walking/getting up and moving around will increase them and help them to get stronger! I think you should take your OB's advice. 35 weeks is way to early.. you really need to go in- you will get by financially somehow-- In 5 years are you going to remember that you got help and gave birth to a healthy baby because you took proper care of yourself and the baby? Or are you going to regret what you did because you didn't get to come home with a baby and still had bills to pay? I guess it's a question of what's more important- your material possesions/lifestyle or your baby???????