My first encounter with a Sage Femme

Since returning to France my arms have been a bit swollen and my fingers look like as my sister says Vienna sausages. Thanks for that visual, Erin.  My engagement ring doesn't fit any more and I'm wearing another ring in it's place. Last weekend, I was awoken by sharp pains in both of my arms that radiated from my biceps to my finger tips.  My hands were asleep and it felt like knives were being stabbed into my arms.  I was scared, I though I was having an attack or some sort.  I somehow fell asleep and in the morning it seemed to be a little better but not 100%. 

I went to the clinic today to chat with the sage femme about my concerns. She was delightfully nice and took good care of me. She hooked me up to a couple machines to check my blood pressure and to listen to the baby's heartbeat. He wasn't going to have any of that and spent the entire time kicking the sensor on my stomach and flipping around in my belly.  Apparently the baby was just fine.  My blood pressure was a little high but nothing to be alarmed about.  The sage femme talked to me for a few minutes and reassured me that everything was fine. She explained to me how my blood pressure can be affected by certain things and that she seen pregnant women with fingers and ankles more swollen than what I was dealing with.

It's never easy to express yourself fully in a foreign language and I've always felt a little uneasy visiting the doctor in fear that he will not complete understand me.  But there's something to be said about the communication a smile or a regard can make.  The sage femme was gentile and spoke softly. And she listened.   She was sage, indeed.

Sage femme = midwife or quite literally, wise woman.    

Comments

[lsaspacey]

But what about the pains in your arms? That isn't blood pressure related is it?

I just want you to get the best care.

[Veronique]

Sages femmes are the best! Sometimes it's so stressful to see a doctor, but the nurses/midwives are always very calm and put you at ease, don't they?
I hope you don't swell too much, and that the pain in your arm is resolved. And make sure they keep an eye on that swelling!

[riana]

Oh yeh, the tingles, I get that too and in my legs at night. But the swelling, make sure that the OB-gyn takes a look at that as well.

Sage-femmes are so nice and wise. We are so lucky to have them!

[Doc]

I'm on baby #3, and while I love my doctor (she's great) my sage-femme is like family to us.
I had the tingly hands and arms with baby #1 and it turned out to be little more than him pushing on a nerve--he eventually grew into another spot and I felt fine. Still, something to keep an eye on.

[Account Deleted]

Wow, I'd be so scared. But it also sounds like you had the best follow-up experience. The word 'sage femme' makes me smile somehow, especially now that I know the meaning. Learn something everyday.

[sfgirl]

drink lots of water to prevent swelling, etc etc. you've probably heard the same things that i've been told...i hope your arm is feeling better... equally importantly, sounds like the baby is fine :)

[The Bold Soul]

Oh, my sister had the swelling thing with her second pregnancy, big time. It's called edema, it's very common, and here's a website (an AMERICAN one) where you can read up on it, if you haven't already. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/pregnancyswelling.html

[Stella]

I did not say that about your fingers!!!

[Nicole]

After all the travelling, some of the pain might be from slightly pinched nerves- since your joints are loosening up, the bones can move around more and hence, tingly fingers. If it keeps up, I think it wouldn't be a waste of time to make an appointment with the osteopath.

[Deb]

Sounds like you really lucked out with your sage femme!

Sorry about the swelling though. Just make sure you stay hydrated and don't overexert yourself!