4Real Forums: Planned Pregnancy

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: Planned Pregnancy

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Michaela
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Posted: July 27 2009 at 11:32pm \| IP Logged

I'm filling out the questionnaire for my first OB appt. One question has thrown me for a loop.

<insert rolling my eyes>

Is this a planned pregnancy? If "yes" explain.

Does that seem strange to you (too)? What would the reason be for that question? A yes answer is so strange that it needs to be explained.

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Michaela
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SuzanneG
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Posted: July 27 2009 at 11:40pm \| IP Logged

I don't usually answer those questions...... I just write NA next to it.

And, there is an eye-roll emoticon......

It's called wacky which is what that question is

Ooooohhhhhh, look at your signature line, Michaela.....it says, "Baby due in February"!!!!!!!!

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Suzanne in ID
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JodieLyn
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Posted: July 27 2009 at 11:47pm \| IP Logged

That is weird that they'd want you to explain a yes.

I think depending on my mood that I'd be likely to explain it by telling them to keep any methods of ending pregnancies including birth control to themselves that I do not want to hear it. And since I don't use those then yes I did plan to be pregnant sooner or later.

and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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missionfamily
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 12:09am \| IP Logged

I think that's horrificly invasive of your privacy and probably wouldn't answer it...but perhaps a "yes, by God" would be a simple, direct answer.

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Colleen
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KackyK
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 6:38am \| IP Logged

I bet ya it's to see if you used contraception that failed and then it would probably go back to some drug companies stats, or something like that (my dh works for the gov't I'm use to hearing about stupid questions

)

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Babs
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 7:15am \| IP Logged

I am looking at this question from a nursing point of view and I think the purpose might be to get information from a different type of patient, not the married, stable type. Perhaps they are trying to find out the amount of support the patient can expect from spouse, boyfriend, family, etc. Often there is not just no support, but the patient may be completely surrounded by people trying to get her to end the pregnancy for their own selfish reasons. Women with unplanned pregnancies are often at great risk for physical abuse. Also, many "unplanned" pregnancies are young women who may have been or are still doing things that have put the baby at risk to all kinds of problems. They may be trying to document risks and assess what help may be needed.

I don't think they intended this question to get information from you, but it has to be on the form for everyone. When health professionals speak of unplanned pregnancy they are usually not referring to families. They are referring to pregnancies that are at high risk of neglect, abuse, drugs, the list goes on and on. Unfortunately that is the reality of what they see every day and I think they are trying to get information without asking questions directly, which will most likely be denied. It is surprising how much information patients will offer for this type of a question, instead of more direct questions. I think the "if yes explain" part might just be to make the unplanned pregnancy patient feel more comfortable offering information, since even the "planned pregnancies" need to explain.

The two main purposes of all of the documenting on medical forms is to find out what is different about this particular patient and what needs to be done which is out of the ordinary; and to document everything you can for legal reasons, and in obstetrics, legal risk is among the highest.

I am sure you are a dream patient for your obstetrician. Having to focus almost exclusively on medical issues instead of all of the social problems he deals with all day long would be a great problem to have.

But if I take off my nursing hat, I really like Colleen's answer, "yes, by God." Congratulations and best wishes for an uneventful pregnancy.

God Bless,
Barb

stefoodie
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 8:14am \| IP Logged

missionfamily wrote:

I think that's horrificly invasive of your privacy and probably wouldn't answer it...but perhaps a "yes, by God" would be a simple, direct answer.

Love it, Colleen!!

Congratulations, Michaela!!

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stef

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crusermom
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 8:30am \| IP Logged

Unfortunately, being pregnant is a risk factor for abuse. Sad, isn't it? I think they are just trying to find high risk patients. Our clinic always asks if I feel safe - seems like a silly question for me, but I know there are other moms out there they do not feel safe and if they aren't asked won't volunteer the information.

I do use any such opportunities to give a positive message! I think your answer is perfect.

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Mary

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crusermom
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 8:32am \| IP Logged

I do have to add, the need to explain a yes is very strange. You might ask them about it.

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Mary

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Michaela
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 9:14am \| IP Logged

That's just it. I can understand why extra counseling may be needed for a "no" answer. (The office may want to counsel about ways to prevent, options

, or to ensure there is no extra stress or abuse in the home. There are questions about domestic abuse, too.)

It gave me pause see extra space to explain why a pregnancy is planned.

Since this is a mandatory "educational appointment" with a nurse, I plan to ask.

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Michaela
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JodieLyn
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 9:35am \| IP Logged

My sense of humor asserted itself about the question last night.. and I thought you might get a giggle too..

let's see.. explain a planned pregnancy, well my dh and I agreed that we wanted to try for another child and we prayed to God about it and we set a date night and I went and bought something pretty to wear and..

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amyable
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 10:36am \| IP Logged

JodieLyn wrote:

let's see.. explain a planned pregnancy, well my dh and I agreed that we wanted to try for another child and we prayed to God about it and we set a date night and I went and bought something pretty to wear and..

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Amy
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Red Cardigan
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 1:30pm \| IP Logged

Love the answers people have come up with!

I was thinking one could write this:

Yes. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you..." (Jeremiah 1:5).

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Sarah M
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 2:32pm \| IP Logged

"Yes. Planned by God. Please see Him for details."

Becky Le
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 5:45pm \| IP Logged

I'm going to give a totally different take on this....maybe they are prompting to see if any fertility treatments were used that they may not be aware of. If, for example, you used Clomid to get pregnant your OB would want to be on alert for multiples or any other odd symptoms. Just a guess.

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Bookswithtea
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 5:51pm \| IP Logged

Sigh...don't you hate these questions? The hospital where 3 of my children were born always made me answer a series of questions about if I'm afraid of being hit, if I have enough food, etc. I understand why they are asking, but it sure is a depressing way to start the first OB appts.

I'd probably just not answer and see if they ask you. If they do, then I'd tell them I think its a weird question (which I absolutely think its strange how its worded).

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ekbell
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 6:21pm \| IP Logged

It does seem strange to be expected to 'explain' a planned pregnancy.

I think that I'd be inclined to write down 'we wanted another child' and leave it at that.

[However, someone might have realized that 'wanted' children in unstable environments are actually at the highest risk of abuse. Wanting a baby so as to have someone to love you, to be grownup or to save a failing relationship can be danger signs.]

It's not the weirdest question I've ever come across, though. The winner is still a question from the questionnaire my husband and I had to fill out separately during our parish marriage preparation.

If I remember correctly it was "Is pregnancy a part of your life?" or something to that effect.

I assumed that it was a clumsy attempt to ask if I was pregnant and answered 'no' but my husband was completely confused. I was correct.

(To make matters more confusing my mom was pregnant at the time so I could have honestly answered yes.

My baby brother was soooo cute at my wedding!)

Stephanie_Q
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 9:25pm \| IP Logged

Michaela wrote:

Since this is a mandatory "educational appointment" with a nurse, I plan to ask.

I'd leave it blank to make sure that you have a chance to ask. I'd be interested in reading the reason they give.

Congrats!

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Stephanie

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Maggie
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Posted: July 28 2009 at 9:31pm \| IP Logged

JodieLyn wrote:

This is my favorite by far!!! I am still laughing!!!

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juststartn
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Posted: July 29 2009 at 4:41pm \| IP Logged

I'll admit it. While I'd probbbaaaabbbllly leave it blank, you can bet what I'd want to do is even more spicy than Jodie's response.

"What, you want me to give you pointers?" (after all should I get pregnant again---please God--it'd be pregnancy #7.)..."weelll, let's see...first DH usually gives me the wiggly eyebrow look--you know the one where he indicates he wants to go back to the bedroom and put in some serious baby-making practice?--and then, I put him off for a couple of hours til after the dc are in bed...but then, WWHOOOOOEEEEE!!!!!!!!! Then it's Katie bar the door! We're off to the races!"

(imagine all that said in a very thick southern accent, with a hint of the redneck about it...).

LOL

Okay, okay, I know. Its a serious question, but for goodness' sake, why on earth do we have to answer these ridiculous questions. It makes me want to go in there for every visit with a sandwich board sign on, with all of the answers already on it. Especially if I have to take the dc with me. Of course, now that I've got two readers (and one of whom has NO volume control...lol--I can imagine how loudly some of my responses would get broadcast...lol...followed by some really loud "What does *that* mean?!?").

Hopefully, the above paragraphs weren't too much...lol. But that'd be what I'd *want* to say...

Rachel

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