During pregnancy, women often aren’t totally honest with their doctors. Some withhold information or avoid questions out of fear. This ranges from small fibs about diet and exercise to more serious deception about smoking cigarettes, drinking and drug use during pregnancy.
Women have many reasons for being less than honest with doctors and midwives. Sometimes the reason is a desire to project an image of the perfect patient and perfect mother to be. They want the midwife or doctor to view them in that image and fear disclosing anything that would tarnish that image.
This often occurs in women who are perfectionists in other areas of life, including work and school. This tendency toward perfection is often extended to the pregnancy and the desire to appear like the model patient at all times and later to be “supermom”.
It is a good idea to try to let this go now, before the baby is born. There is no such thing as the perfect obstetrical patient or the perfect mother. Be honest with yourself and others. This will reduce the stress you feel both during your pregnancy and after the baby arrives. In addition, you will be better able to ask for help when you need it and that is important.
Another reason women don’t tell their health care providers everything is they don’t want to hear the lecture. This often revolves around weight gain issues, including diet and exercise. You may embellish your answers about your diet and how much exercise you get. This won’t work. The scale will tell the true story.
The bigger lies are the most concerning. Withholding information about smoking, drinking or drug use is usually done to avoid trouble; including a fear the doctor will report you to your local children and families agency. This is a real concern, but will generally only happen when the doctor finds out and learns you aren’t trying to stop activities such as illegal drug use.
The best thing you can do for your health and your baby’s is to come clean with the doctor or midwife. They may be able to help you find an appropriate treatment program to help you kick the habit. Your baby will reap huge benefits from less exposure to these substances. So, don’t be afraid to talk.
Related Articles:
Choosing a Health Care Provider for Pregnancy
Communicating With Your Doctor