In the age of Google, pregnant women everywhere have themselves worried sick about diseases, complications, birth defects, and traumatic labor. Search engines are great for learning more about morning sickness cures and breastfeeding techniques, but it’s not a good place to turn when you are worried about things of a more serious nature. Your doctor is a better resource.
The internet is biased. People love to post pictures of birth defects, write stories about traumatic birth experiences, and fill up forums with warnings about every activity, food and drug out there. What you don’t see are the countless accounts of healthy babies and uncomplicated pregnancies. After all, where’s the excitement in that? The result is a lopsided depiction of the average pregnancy.
Your doctor, on the other hand, sees all kinds of healthy patients in addition to the rare complications. He or she knows first hand how likely a woman is to experience certain complications or illnesses during her pregnancy. He or she knows first hand how likely your baby is to suffer from birth defects or diseases. Your doctor can combine your medical history with his or her medical knowledge and determine your risks. It’s more than likely that you are not facing any serious risks of any kind. Talking to your doctor about your fears is smart because he or she can put you at ease.
Case in point: I had myself convinced that I was going to have a horrible birth experience at the hospital because of all the stories I had read on the internet. Talking to the head nurse at the hospital a few weeks before my due date changed my mind, and as it turns out, I had a wonderful experience. Not every hospital or OB/GYN is evil! Unfortunately, not many woman share their positive birth stories unless they are unconventional, such as free birth or home birth.
I would encourage you to talk to your doctor about anything you are worried about, no matter how small or big the issue. Save the internet for your entertainment, not your peace of mind.