Penny

After my 28-week checkup yesterday, I experienced for the remainder of the evening what my doctor would probably call "moderate discomfort" in my lower back.

It's somewhat better today, though still tender and ache-y, but I thought I would call my doctor's office to ask what they recommended, should it happen again. The receptionist didn't know, but promised to have a nurse call me back.

I expected the nurse to call back, hear my complaint, and suggest Tylenol and a hot pack. Naturally, this is not what happened.

Nurse: Lower back pain?

Liz: Yes.

Nurse: When did it start?

Liz: Yesterday afternoon.

Nurse: Have you had any bleeding or spotting? Bladder infection symptoms? Had intercourse in the last week? Have you done any heavy lifting lately? Pulled a muscle?

Liz: Um... No.

Nurse: You're at 28 weeks? And this is your first pregnancy? Maybe you should come in.

Liz: Yeah. I was just in yesterday, though.

Nurse: Did you mention this then?

Liz: It wasn't bad, then.

Nurse: Right. Can you be here at 2:30?

So I got yet another exam, the second in as many days, at the end of which the nurse practitioner told me, "Ice or heat, whichever works best for you. Stretch it out. And you can take Tylenol."

Hrmph.

Guess who's going to be thinking twice about calling the doctor to ask about anything that might remotely be considered a sign of labor?