severe varicosities

Please report this to the provider. Varicosities are something to watch, especially in pregnancy. I thank you for your careful observance and advocacy for your patient. You sound like an excellent nurse to me.

Hello! Yesterday I went on a home visit to a pregnant pt (week 12, if I remember correctly), and she has the biggest varicosities on her leg that I've ever seen. She said they hurt too.

Apparently, she didn't have them at her last OB appt and her next appt isn't until 5/3. Should I call the provider and tell him, or is this totally normal and expected during pregnancy?

Just an aside--this pt doesn't have insurance and isn't a citizen, so doesn't qualify for MCHIP either. I don't want to advise her to see her provider unless necessary, since all costs are out of pocket.

Thanks in advance!

The call is her responsibility whether or not she has insurance. These people are always a problem because of the lack of healthcare thing.

I am sur eit is not possible but could you help her secure some TEDS hose?

I might be able to get her some TEDS, or even just regular hose. Honestly, I'd be more comfortable letting her provider make that decision. I'll be calling him first thing Monday morning. Thanks for the responses and ideas.

Just for the record: this patient is here legally and has permission to work in the US. Unfortunately, the work permit doesn't make someone eligible for the CHIP program, and most of "these people" don't have the luxury of a job that offers health insurance. In other words, they can do all the crap work in our country, but forget about any benefits.

I think support hose are a must, but a call to the provider is still in order. What happens after that, I can't say, hopefully a visit and careful observation. I again thank you for your advocacy; sometimes we nurses are the last line of "defense" against pathology in our patients. Our observation skills are the eyes and ears of their primary providers/physicians.

I might be able to get her some TEDS, or even just regular hose. Honestly, I'd be more comfortable letting her provider make that decision. I'll be calling him first thing Monday morning. Thanks for the responses and ideas.

Just for the record: this patient is here legally and has permission to work in the US. Unfortunately, the work permit doesn't make someone eligible for the CHIP program, and most of "these people" don't have the luxury of a job that offers health insurance. In other words, they can do all the crap work in our country, but forget about any benefits.

OK, I'll open up a whole can of worms here. I think sometimes we forget that pregnancy is OPTIONAL. She is here where she has no insurance and then chooses to become pregnant. It very well could have been an accidental pregnancy, but I think we can all agree that there are no real 'accidental' pregnancies. There are so many cheap, easy and available ways to prevent it. I will feel sorry for these people to a point, but ultimately it was their choice. I could have many more than three children but have actively chosen not to by preventing it.

My only point is--if people are here legally and contributing to our economy and paying taxes, then why aren't they also eligible for a program like CHIP? Seems a little hypocritical considering the "moral values" our current administration touts. Sure, they can come apply for work permits and do the horrible work most US citizens wouldn't do, but we don't offer them something as basic as health insurance.

This patient is also from Central America where, sadly, the vast majority of people don't have health insurance or even access to a health care provider (especially those from rural regions). Many people rely on traditional healers and midwives, not professionally trained. Perphaps the thought of needing health insurance before becoming pregnant didn't even occur to this woman d/t her life experience?

In my opinion, just by virtue of the fact that she is here legally and a contributing member of our society, she should be eligible for health insurance at the very least. I don't think it's fair to judge these people so harshly is all I'm saying.

I see this quickly becoming an argument about health care benefits and who is "entitled" or not........

sadly, we live in a country where health care is a privelege, not a right. Til that changes, Jayla, you will get responses like the ones above. Remember, there are many working legal residents/citizens of the USA who have no access, due to it being cost- prohibitive or not offered where they work.

I think it's wrong. You think it's wrong. But this is how it is at this time. And so, many bristle at the thought anyone should get for free what they can't even afford to pay for.

Personally, I hope she can get some stockings and an evaluation. I hate to see serious complications arise from these varicosities.

I just hate to see this change to a health care coverage benefit debate.

Call her provider and see what he/she says. Good luck.

Thanks for your sound words! You're absolutely right, and I will be calling the doc first thing tomorrow morning.

Health care access just happends to be a topic I feel very passionatly about, but you are right. The issue at hand is my patient.

Thanks again!