Revealing sensitive medical history

[Anonymous]

I am catholic and I had an abortion years ago. I am now TTC and have made the choice NOT to share this information with my catholic OB. I know this will bring many flaming responses. In my experience, I have found that fellow catholics can be very judgemental. Many (catholic) educated doctors are unaware of the support and kindness with which the church deals with the aftermath of abortion. I have moved on and want to move forward without feeling like I am being looked down upon. I know this attitude still exists.

Are there any catholic Moms out there who could share their experiences with revealing their full medical history to a catholic provider? Any experiences positive or negative? Can the forum wackos keep responses to a minimum.

[Anonymous]

If you don't feel comfortable sharing that, then don't. I'm Catholic-but definitely not a religious zealot-am pro-choice. A gyn will ask if you have had any other pregnancies-I included my termination in the count, but knew I wouldn't be crucified! What would the Dr. do if you did tell him/her? Not have you as a patient?

[Anonymous]

I have had the exact same experience.

I use Georgetown University Health for all of my drs.

I have shared that I had a terminated pregnancy with my drs the 1st time I completed my medical history.

After that, I believe that they have all the information they need in their files and for future appts leave it up to them to read the file.

I also believe that I have enough other medical history that "overrides" this from almost 20 years ago. (I have had 3 pregnancies in the last 5 years - 2 children and 1 miscarriage).

In sharing my medical history, I have never had my healthcare providers be judgemental about this. However, I have no idea what religious affiliation my healthcare providers are (just b/c they work at GT I am not assuming they are Catholic).

Hope this helps

[Anonymous]

I think that it is up to you if you decide to share the information or not. It is completely what you feel comfortable doing. However the only thing that you might
want to think about is that there are some studies that link a previous abortion to later having premature labour. I read an article once in the newspaper about it.
That said, it was more guided toward women who had more than one abortion. It was focused on poorer women using abortion as a form of birth control and that later
in life they had premature labour. I am not saying this to alarm you, just to say research it and decide what how you would like to proceed.

[Anonymous]

Oh, I am sorry for your loss and the concern that it is bringing into your life now. I am a nurse and work with pregnant woman. I'm also a conservative Catholic and staunchly pro-life; however I have to say that I would never, ever, judge a woman who came to me and revealed a previous abortion. I would just want to make sure that you feel you have whatever resources, if any, you needed. I've also never heard of a doctor - Catholic or otherwise - condemn a woman for this. Maybe decades ago, when it was less common. But not now.

Although it is not essential that you tell a doctor this (especially if it was a complication-free, early, abortion), I do think it would be helpful for you to be completely open and honest with your health care provider, as it is part of your gynecologic history. In fact, it could be helpful in determining different aspects of potential fertility issues (ie, it would let them know that you are able to conceive). If they utter one negative word to you about it, you simply get up and walk out and don't go back. In my opinion, if you can't trust your health care provider with this sensitive information, how can you trust them with all the other things that you will be dealing with as you TTC, and then further throughout your pregnancy and birth? I feel that you need to trust your doctor 1,000% in this regard.

In this area, I know of one very Catholic, very pro-life doctor (maybe he is your doctor?) and he is a very good man who I'm sure would not look down on you. In fact, I think doctors have much more exposure to the reality of abortion and those who are Catholic probably (hopefully!) have studied how compassionately the Church handles it.

[Anonymous]

If your doctor were judgemental in any way and expressed that to you, you would probably have good grounds to report him/her to the medical board. That would be completely unprofessional and unethical. Your religious beliefs shouldn't have anything to do with the medical care that s/he is providing. Was there a reason you and your doctor were even discussing your religious affiliation?

[Anonymous]

I am not Catholic, but did have an abortion (about 12 yrs ago). I have chosen to always share this part of my medical and gynecological history with my GYNs and most recently, with my OB. As a PP (nurse) said, I thought it was important info for my care-givers to have, especially since I was planning to get pregnant, and then was pregnant. My abortion was in a 3rd world country where it was illegal at the time and I wanted my docs here to know that. I have no idea of the religious affiliation any of my many docs, nurses, etc. - nor do I care. I am not ashamed of my choice and its not their business anyway. Their job is to take care of me as their patient, not judge my personal decisions. For these reasons, I would urge you to disclose your full history to your doctor.
Good luck with whatever you decide and with getting pregnant!!!

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to let you know that I never shared my abortion with anyone (doctor, nurse or otherwise). It's not something I could ever feel comfortable doing. I have had two healthy pregnancies since and wish you the same good fortune.

[Anonymous]

i am sorry you are feeling this way. i think you need to find the courage to share your medical history with your doctor. it could affect your current circumstances if there are any problems.

i have to say though - it's this type of thing that has driven me away from being a practicing catholic. the whole "say one thing, do something else" is just such a turn off to me. honesty is the best policy, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you feel this way, and agree that you should think about whether or not you might really want to share it with your OB.

By the way, how do you know he's Catholic?
How does he know you are Catholic?

And, finally, I think there are LOTS of Catholics out there who are actually pro-choice, or at least would not judge someone who had terminated a pregnancy before.

You might be right, but, could it also be you're not giving him the benefit of the doubt?

If I were you (and I'm not, I realize this is a personal decision), I'd tell him because I think he needs to have that information. If he was a jerk about it (he might not be), I'd find a new OB.

[Anonymous]

If you are of a certain blood type (Rh Neg) it is essential that you disclose whether or not you've had a previous pregnancy as it affects the current pregnancy and risk of hemolytic anemia to the newborn.

[Anonymous]

I know it's really hard to share personal information with a doctor, but try to remember that they've seen and heard it all. Like some of the PPs said, it's their job to care for you and try to keep you healthy, but it's a two way street. Maybe the more you think about it, the more comfortable you will become with the idea. If this information complicates a future pregnancy (and I don't know if it could), I think you'll really wish you had revealed all when the price to pay was only the possibility of being unkindly judged.

Just want to make sure you don't have any regrets.

[Anonymous]

You may want to check out Project Rachel (just google it)

[Anonymous]

14:37 - OP specifically said she had "moved on". I'm not sure that directing her to a site focused on "post abortion trauma" and the "hurt women suffer after abortion" is the kind of help or advice she was looking for!

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I have first hand experience with this. FWIW, I have and will always feel judged by SOME members of the catholic medical community. I have family that falls into that category and can tell you first hand the look down their noses at me. They will pretend to be "professional" with you, but they judge. I was wondering why all the physicians referred to in this thread are assumed to be male. Are we looking for approval from males or are males not as good at hiding their disgust? Just a thought. Interesting. Personally, I travel outside of DC/MD to obtain healthcare that first does no harm.

I think the Project Rachel suggestion is a loving one. For most of us "moving on" comes and goes.