Worst Dr. Appt EVER. Please calm my fears

[Atia_Julii]

So, I had my first Dr's appointment today and am 9w5d.  The OB walked in the room, an hour late, and I was immediately not impressed.

The OB then decided to do a pap smear on me.  Before she did it, she said many women spot afterwards, and it's no cause for alarm.  Okay, no alarm.  I had a sheet covering me, so I couldn't see what was going on.  The OB mentioned I'm bleeding more than most women do,and she mentioned that maybe she hit a blood vessel or something.  She then clamped me up again to take a closer look at the cervix and make sure the blood was coming from the cervix and not internally.  She said the cervix looked good. . . closed and firm, and she was pretty sure it was coming from the outside.

She then tried to hear the heart with a doppler and couldn't.  At this point, and after seeing ALL THE BLOOD, I was pretty darn nervous.  I said I wasn't leaving the clinic until I knew if this baby was alive.  So, the OB left and went to get a nurse.

At that point, I got dressed, and realized just how much I bled.  There was blood everywhere.  We aren't talking spotting here.  We are talking A LOT OF BLOOD.  

Luckily I was able to get in to the radiologist to do an ultrasound.  In the meantime, I called my DH frantic and crying and he met me there.  The ultrasound showed what looked like a healthy baby, with a heart beating away at 176 bpm.

I want to feel reassurred, but why did I bleed so much?  I didn't realize hitting a blood vessel could cause so much blood.  I am NEVER going back to that OB though.  She knows all I've been through to get pregnant, and her bedside manner stunk!

Has anyone else bled during a pap smear?  I just want some reassurance.

[Atia_Julii]

Thanks again for all of your support.  I spotted the day after, and then the day after that, just spotted some brown. . . which I'm sure was the old blood from the bleeding cervix coming out.  Now, I've had no more spotting. (knock on wood)

My Mom works at a huge hospital in my home state, and she has a good friend who is an OB and had me contact her.  This wonderful and nice OB emailed me back and said that this is completely normal, and that a blood vessel must have been hit.  She said the cervix is so friable, especially during pregnancy, and that the fact that I saw a baby with a healthy fetal heartbeat is VERY reassuring.

I'm just glad this is over.  I was terrified.

[JillyHemp316]

I am completely appalled by the way OB's are! I've had 2 similar bad experiences lately. It's nearly impossible to find a good OB unless your rich or have great insurance. I have neither money nor maternity coverage. I would contact the people who run the clinic and tell them how the OB behaved, and I would call the better business bureau and file a complaint.

[faye83]

When you are pregnant, more blood goes to your cervix so it's ok if you bleed like this with a pap. It also happens to some girls after having sex (happened to me for the first 2 months).

[Atia_Julii]

Thanks again for all of your comments.  You guys always make me feel so much better. :-D

Yesterday afternoon the Dr's office called me with the "official" report from the radiologist who read my ultrasound.  The nurse on the phone told me that the baby looks healthy, and that there isn't any blood around the baby.  She told me the cervix is actually quite far from the baby so everything is fine.  

My spotting has almost subsided.  Not to give you TMI. . . but I slept with a pantyliner in, and it was clean when I got up, which is good.  

And I feel at so much more peace after switching.  I just got the worst taste in my mouth from that clinic yesterday.  I'm happy to be moving on and am confident that my new place will be more to my liking.

And luvmybabes,
I've been feeling okay.  Slight nausea, but mostly just exhausted, along with the occassional headache and sore BB's.  I've been pretty lucky. :-D

[tobbeyj]

Way to go for fighting for an ultrasond. I am soo proud to hear that you did that. I have not bled after a pap but I have heard that many ppl do. I was told at my 10 week viability ultrasound that since the babys heartbeat was at 180 that it was very strong and little chance that anything bad could happen. I would try to focus on the fact that you saw the little monkey and it had a strong heartbeat. When will you see your new doc?

[Meadow841]

Hey there- I am so sorry to hear about this! I had my visit today and they did a pap too, and she did warn me about spotting and that it is normal. My friend broke a blood vessel and she bled ALOT, so that is probably what it was. Even though you had a lot in the past, everything is different down there...and I think their is a lot more blood going to that whole area in general. The fact that they found a heartbeat is very good. I know this was traumatizing, but as long as the bleeding stops, I would try not to worry (easier said than done, i know). Also, my other friend broke a blood vessel during intercourse and everything was ok with her baby too. Blood is scary, but I am sure you will be ok.
I'm glad you switched doctors.

[luvmybabes]

It's hard waiting four weeks isn't it? How have you been feeling? Tired/ sick anything like that? I was feeling sick for so long and I still get sick but not as bad it is slowly getting a little better... it stinks because I felt great my first two pregnancy... never sick nothing. I hope the next four weeks fly by for you!! I'm glad you got an ultrasound to ease your mind. I am hopefully getting another ultrasound on tuesday and I can't wait!!!! It will ease my worries. I will be 12 weeks on saturday.

[Atia_Julii]

My next appointment with the new OB is January 4th, in which I'll be about 13 weeks.

I feel so much better after reading all of your thoughtful comments.  It was an emotionally difficult day, but things are looking up.

[luvmybabes]

I am so happy you switched.. I too had to switch and I also am so so glad that I did. And I couldnt tell from the phone conversation that my new place was alot better too. I have never bled during a pap but I do know that your cervix is alot more sensitive and has alot more blook circulating to it so you may have just been more sensitive. I am glad that they gave you an ultrasound and the baby was fine... they would know if the bleeding was coming from the outside of the cervix or from inside beleive me the baby is fine. I am so sorry you had a terrible experience... good luck at your next appt. when is it??

[Atia_Julii]

Thank you so much for the supportive comments.  I already called a new OB office and scheduled an appointment, and honestly, I could tell just from the phone conversation that this new place will be a better fit.

I'm not going to lie. . . I'm still nervous about the amount of blood I saw.  It was a lot. :-(  But afterwards, I saw a healthy little baby with a strong heartbeat.  

I've had many pap smears before and spotted a couple of times, but never have bled. I know everything is different during a pregnancy though.  I also know we produce more blood.  I just couldn't believe the OB didn't help me out, or try to make me fee better.  It's never a good sign when you leave the OB's office in tears.

[Linzola1]

I am so sorry! I would have freaked out and not been very nice! I really hope you can find a doctor that respects you more than the one you went to! I will pray you find someone better! BTW Its a good thing they say the baby and the heartbeat! God Bless

[Rosa20]

Oh i wish you didnt have to experience that!! WHat a terrible appt...i have never bled with a pap//maby spotted a few times but never bled...but i can imagine that things are more sensitive down there durning pregnancy!! So i wouldnt worry..you seen your baby with a heartbeatt so i would think everything is perfectly fine!! Let us know how things goo!! Has the bleeding stopped??!!

[JoyRenee]

I'm glad you switched! Hitting a vessel definitely causes an alarming amount of blood but that's still no excuse for her lack of manners. And if you have to switch again because the next person doesn't feel right to you then do it!

I ended up with a group of midwives. I just couldn't find an OB who used the same model of care. Not all midwives are rainbows and sunshine though either. It's just an elimination process.

[mrspookie]

I'm sorry you went through this!  I will pray that your next OB is more sympathetic and compassionate towards you and the baby.  As for the bleeding, I have not had my pap smear since I've known being pregnant so I wouldn't be any help.  (((HUGS)))

[Atia_Julii]

I've already changed docs and am so happy I did.  I had a bad feeling from them since day 1.  I know the OB couldn't help the bleeding, but she could have been more comforting about it.  The whole experience was unecessarily traumatizing.

[DandMe]

I'm sorry to hear about the bleeding.  I've only spotted after a pap.  So I can't really be much help there.  
I'm so happy to hear that you were able to hear the baby's HB. It sounds like the baby is doing well.  I would defintly change docs.  This is suppose to be a special time in  your life and you should be comfortable and happy esp with all you've been though to get here.  
Keep us posted
Mary

[Ashelen]

I bled a bit after pap smear when pregnant with DD.....I would imagine that because everything's so moist down there it takes a bit for the bleeding on a broken blood vessel to stop, so it's probably quite normal...but I agree you should get a new OB...what a horrifying and scary experience. So glad everything's okay!!!!!!

[isthisnormal]

I've bled during a pap. Some women are more sensitive than others. As long as you saw the heartbeat, I'm sure everything is fine honey.

I don't blame you for not going back, that sounds like an awful experience
:/