Best Way to Communicate Concerns to Doctor? (Late Diagnosis for Short Cervix + Frequent Lightning Crotch)
I have an MFM appointment later today, and would appreciate any advice on how to communicate my concerns with the doctor. Or I’d like to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation to mine.
My short cervix wasn’t discovered until 29 weeks, so no cerclage for me. I’ve got 1cm left and I was 1cm dilated. I’m on partial bedrest.
I’m particularly worried because I get lightning crotch constantly. Multiple times a day since about 25 weeks. Google’s “it’s normal lala” answer isn’t satisfying me because I don’t know whether frequency or a short cervix should change how serious it is.
I feel like my OB’s staff doesn’t adequately grasp my concerns. In my first trimester, I had a scare where I was bleeding profusely. It was terrifying. Luckily, baby was fine and the hospital discharged me that same night, but they couldn’t say for sure why I was bleeding.
When I tried to explain this to 2 different nurses at my OB appointment later that week, I kept getting, “Spotting is normal, spotting is normal.” I wanted to scream, WHEN I SAY BLEEDING, I MEAN BLEEDING!!!
My doctor friend later told me, “You have to specifically tell them, ‘I bled enough to soak 4 pads.’” It wasn’t til I said that that they seemed to react with some more care.
I have an ultrasound appointment later today and I don’t want to bother my doctor friend again. Any advice on how best to convey my concerns to my provider? Has anyone else experienced frequent lightning crotch with a short cervix? Any advice is appreciated. Now that I think about it, I really just posted this to feel less alone and discouraged. I just want to feel heard