According to Ava
“Hi, I’m Ava. I’m 28-years-old and I’m from Puerto Rico. I’m currently seven months pregnant. I have a little one at home, he’s 2-years-old. I work full time and I have a supportive but busy husband that works long hours. I am in good health. I saw my OBGYN yesterday who said everything looked good, but I do have a concern because I’ve been feeling this pain on my pelvis, and it hasn’t gone away. It’s been about…almost a month. So I wanna go see my midwife and ask her if there’s anything else I can do to help out with that.”
Summary
- 28-year-old Hispanic female from Puerto Rico
- Currently 7 months pregnant, has one child, aged 2, at home
- Works full time • Has a supportive husband and mother o Husband works 10+ hours each day
- In good health
- Saw OB-GYN yesterday who said everything was fine with her pregnancy
- Concerned because she is experiencing anterior pelvic pain
Ava tells her midwife, “Well, today I’m coming to you because I have this very severe pain that comes and goes. But it can be quite severe in the front part of my pelvis. Like…right in the pubis area.”
When Did You First Feel this Pain?
When asked when she first felt the pain, Ava replies, "It’s been going on for a little bit, maybe since I was like six or so months pregnant.”
“Okay,” the midwife says encouragingly. “So several weeks,” she says.
“Yeah,” Ava says. “Um, I was very active. And then when I get…when I do exercise or become more active...after the exercise I tend to feel it more.”
What Makes the Pain Worse?
When asked what makes her pain worse, Ava replies, “So what makes it really worse is lifting one leg."
“Okay,” says the midwife.
“Standing on one leg,” continues Ava. “Yeah,” the midwife agrees. “Like putting my pants on. That can be very painful,” Ava says.
How Would You Describe the Pain?
The midwife asks Ava how she would describe the pain.
“Moments when it’s at its peak it feels like a sharp, stabbing pain,” Ava says.
“Okay,” the midwife responds. She makes a note of this on the clipboard.
Ava continues, “And it’s difficult for me to move. Like…I have to take a second to hold the position."
The midwife says, “Yeah, catch your breath.”
“Yeah,” Ava agrees with her, laughing.
Does Your Pain Come and Go?
Ava is asked whether her pain comes and goes.
Ava says, “There’s moments when it’s really sharp. Especially…I’ve had moments when I get out of my car. That makes it really sharp.”
Okay,” the midwife says, nodding.
“Or if I’m putting my clothes on, like I said. The rest of the time it’s there,” Ava continues.
“Uh-huh,” the midwife agrees.
“It’s more dull,” Ava says. “It’s just bothersome.”
What Makes the Pain Better?
The midwife asks Ava what makes her pain better.
“Rest,” says Ava.
“Rest?” the midwife confirms. “And how do you rest when you’re resting?”
“I try to lay down. Um, maybe lift my legs a little bit.” Ava motions with her hands as if she’s placing something imaginary between her knees and says, “Maybe get some pillows to get comfortable.”
“Yeah,” the midwife encourages.
“Yeah, I sometimes put some heat…I dunno. That feels good,” Ava tells the midwife.
“Okay,” the midwife says. “That’s fine. I mean heat is absolutely fine.” She checks her clipboard. “And nothing has really sort of improved it permanently though?”
“No,” Ava confirms. “It gets a little bit better, but then when I become active again, or if I’m walking it kind of comes back.”
“Right,” says the midwife.
“It makes it hard to take care of my 2-year-old…lifting him,” Ava says.
“Of course,” agrees the midwife. “It hurts when you’re lifting?"
“Yeah,” says Ava. She gestures to her side, with her arms encircling an imaginary toddler. “When I’m carrying him on one side.”
“Okay,” notes the midwife.
