Revealing sensitive medical history

[Anonymous]

I had an abortion and I did share it. I believe it is not up to a doctor to judge anyone, despite his or her religion. I have always used the term terminated instead of abortion. There could be various reasons why you have decided to end that pregnancy and I have experienced that no one ever asked why I terminated the pregnancy. I do believe you should tell it because it could be useful information.

Good luck and if you would feel your doctor would judge you I guess you should try to find another OB/GYN.

[Anonymous]

To the OP -

If you conceive quickly and easily, great. Maybe (just maybe) no one needs to know.

As one poster pointed out, just because you don't want to share this, doesn't mean it isn't important medical information for your doctor.

If you are struggling with conception, it is time to tell your doctor. It isn't fair to expect first rate treatment if you are hiding a piece of the puzzle.

If your doctor judges you, seek out another.

[Anonymous]

I had an abortion not too long ago, I am catholic myself. I too did not want to share this with my doc (not that I am trying to get pregnant) but have no choice given my medical issues. They are not related to the abortion, but I find it important for my doctor to be able to explore all possibilities. I am worried about being judged as well, but as I said I have no choice.

I agree with others, I think it may be important for your doctor to know, if he/she judges you, I would move on as well.

[Anonymous]

This post breaks my heart and really makes me angry It is just so very sad that a woman fears feeling so judged for terminating a pregnancy that she would feel the need to withhold that information from her doctor. And, politically speaking, it infuriates me that a woman must fear her health care providers based on their perceived religious orientation. Because, the bottom line is that the termination is a part of your body's history and is therefore relevant medical information.

Anyway, in terms of the question at hand, my understanding is that an OB will be able to tell through an internal exam whether or not your cervix has ever been dilated (through labor, termination, or miscarriage and expulsion of the fetus). Perhaps I am wrong, but I thought that the shape of the opening of your cervix changes from a round shape to a more horizontal slit-like shape. Perhaps an OB on the board could clarify this.

Best wishes to you, OP.

[Anonymous]

If you want to share the history without explaining that it was an abortion, you could refer to it as a miscarriage. I don't think it is any of his business whether it was spontaneous or therapeutic abortion.

[Anonymous]

Medically there is no difference between a D&C and an abortion. Could you just refer to your abortion as a D&C and be done with it?

Whomever posted that abortions lead to early labor needs to check themselves. This is not a fact-AT ALL. I've had 2 D&C's and 2 live births and I carried both large 8+lb babies to full term (the first to 41 weeks). Don't try to perpetuate media fear mongering.

[Anonymous]

I've gone through this exact same issue as well; with a slight variation... when I first found out I was pregnant I was shattered and when I told my doctor that I wanted a termination I had a horrible experience as she tried to talk me out of it (a doctor at Georgetown). Needless to say, I switched doctors. When I went to another doctor after the termination, I decided that I needed to reveal it for medical purposes, however, I quickly regretted it because it was a doctor that practiced in medical school setting, and I found that I had to keep relaying my medical histories to series of med students that didn't have the sensitivity necessary. This is when I decided to switch doctors again. Both of those two experiences have scarred me enough, that recently when I switched doctors (yet again... as you can tell, I haven't yet found an ob/gyn that I click with) I just decided not to mention it. It was just easier. I have enough baggage to deal with (including a recent miscarriage that had to do with a botched CVS) that this is one less thing to worry about.

Don't know if this helps, but wanted to share, in case it does.

[Anonymous]

In my experience, it is good to avoid a Dr. who received his medical school education at Georgetown. I found all (MANY!) experiences with GU docs to be technologically okay, but not very in tune as humans. Self focused, "no insurance", and judgmental would describle my experience. Once I saw a pattern, I was able to find care that worked for me.

[Anonymous]

I agree with pp.

[Anonymous]

It is really important to have an OB with whom you can speak honestly and openly. If you feel that you cannot bring yourself to tell your current doctor, I would advise to look for another OB. You shouldn't have to worry about his/her reaction. They are there to take care of you.

[Anonymous]

After searching for this old thread, I am here to tell you DO NOT REVEAL A PRIOR ABORTION! What an eye opener this weekend has been. Trust NO ONE.

[Anonymous]

OK, PP, you have to explain yourself a bit better. What happened to you this weekend? I'm sorry it was so traumatic. As is, though, your post tells us all nothing useful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After searching for this old thread, I am here to tell you DO NOT REVEAL A PRIOR ABORTION! What an eye opener this weekend has been. Trust NO ONE.

Why? Because someone JUDGED you? Horrors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Medically there is no difference between a D&C and an abortion. Could you just refer to your abortion as a D&C and be done with it?



Hmmm...not quite sure about this. An abortion proves you can carry a pregnancy, a miscarriage indicates that your body is not able to sustain the baby.

This could be very important info. for your doc. to note especially if TTC. In addition, unbeknownst to you, there may be scarring or other physical alterations that your doc. might think of when trying to help you.