Communicating with Your Healthcare Provider
Communication between you and your
healthcare provider is critical for a successful relationship; poor
communication may affect your ability to get the best medical care
possible. Being able to communicate effectively will help you deal more
easily with personal issues relating to pregnancy, sexuality and
intimacy. It’s worth the effort to find a provider with whom you can
establish this type of relationship.
For a successful healthcare
provider–patient relationship, you both must be willing to try to
understand and to respect each other. Sometimes communication is hard
because everyone is so busy.
To get the best care possible, find
someone you’re comfortable with and with whom you can communicate
easily and effectively. Miscommunication between healthcare provider
and patient is often the source of many conflicts.
If language is a barrier, try to find a
healthcare provider who speaks your language fluently. If this isn’t
possible, find out if anyone on the staff speaks your language or if
there are other resources available to you. If language is still a
barrier, find someone (a friend or even a professional interpreter) to
attend every office visit with you so you can ask questions and receive
accurate information. You’ll be better able to understand advice and
instructions, treatment plans or directions.
To receive the best care possible, you
have to be the best patient you can be. Follow your healthcare
provider’s instructions; if you have questions or disagree with
something, don’t ignore the advice. Instead, discuss it. Speak up when
you’re confused or dissatisfied. When a test or procedure is ordered,
ask why it is being done. And be sure you get test results later.
Don’t withhold information, even if you
feel it’s embarrassing. Tell your healthcare provider everything he or
she needs to know about you. In this way, your healthcare team will have all the information they need to provide you and your baby the best care possible.
Go to visits prepared with your questions
and concerns written down. Then write down answers you receive or have
someone come with you to help you remember important instructions or
suggestions. Be an active participant in your health care for your good
health and the good health of your baby.
Dad Tip
Having a baby can mean a lot of
financial changes in your life. You need to examine your wills and
update them, if necessary. You also need to name a guardian for your
child, in case something happens to both of you. Other important tasks
include checking your life insurance and medical-health insurance to be
sure coverage is enough for your family. You also need to consider
child-care costs, if one of you is not going to be a stay-at-home
parent.
Changing Healthcare Providers.
If all these suggestions don’t work, it’s OK to change healthcare
providers—it happens all the time. If you think you need to find
someone new, start as soon as possible. You might consider calling the
labor-and-delivery department of the hospital where you plan to
deliver. Ask nurses whom they would recommend.
When you select a new healthcare
provider, be sure he or she is accepting new patients. Also check
whether your insurance plan covers this healthcare provider. Tell your
current healthcare provider you’re leaving, and explain why. Writing a
letter may be a good way to do this.
Ask for your records. It’s better to take
them with you instead of having them sent, which can take some time. Be
sure also to request copies of all tests and test results.
Take your records to your first
office visit. Bring a list of all prescription and over-the-counter
medications, including any herbs, supplements or other substances, you
take. Be prepared to cover your health and pregnancy history in detail
to provide your new healthcare provider a complete picture of your
health care to date.
7. Your Nutrition
About this time, you’ll probably need to
start adding an extra 300 calories to your meal plan to meet the needs
of your growing baby and your changing body. Below are some choices of
extra food for one day to get those 300 calories. Be careful—300
calories is not a lot of food.
• Choice 1—2 thin slices pork, ½ cup cabbage, 1 carrot
• Choice 2—½ cup cooked brown rice, ¾ cup strawberries, 1 cup orange juice, 1 slice fresh pineapple
• Choice 3—4½ ounces salmon steak, 1 cup asparagus, 2 cups Romaine lettuce
• Choice 4—1 cup cooked pasta, 1 slice fresh tomato, 1 cup 1% milk, ½ cup cooked green beans, ¼ cantaloupe
• Choice 5—1 container of yogurt, 1 medium apple
