Worried midwife will reveal my secret!

[lbsjob87]

Sorry, a bit long but I've found out something today that I'm shocked about but now has me worried.
I recently found out I'm about 7 weeks pregnant.
We have one five-year-old and due to various issues we didn't think another pg would happen naturally but it seems it has!
We're both excited but quite apprehensive as I have had one confirmed MC and three suspected MCs before (two before my DS was born, two since).
For that reason, plus I have literally just started a new job two weeks ago, we don't want to tell anyone before the 12-week scan.
However, I have a very close relative who works at the scanning department of our local hospital, and she has told me some worrying things. Plus, my mother-in-law worked there for years and a lot of the staff know our connection.
We were talking about a mutual friend who has just announced her first pg after years of saying she didn't want kids.
My relative said: "Well, I knew weeks ago - her community midwife told me, she knows we're friends."
I said: "Are they allowed to do that? What happened to patient confidentiality?"
She said: "Obviously they are not supposed to say anything, but everyone gossips, if you were pregnant I'd probably know before you did."
I'm now really shocked and surprised by this, especially as this person has a reputation for saying far too much, and seems totally unfazed by it, as everyone seems to do it. There is no way on earth she would keep her mouth shut - last time some of my friends found out my son had arrived from her putting it on Facebook before my OH had had chance to!
I asked my doctor if I could go somewhere else for a scan specifically to avoid this person, she said yes, but now it seems that purely by booking an appointment (which I've done) I run the risk of people finding out too early.
If people found out too early or things went wrong, I don't know how I'd cope.
Has anyone else had this happen and how did you get around it without looking like you are accusing people of breaching your confidentiality??

If your relative works in the scanning dept its very possible she may see your name on a scan list and realise herself.

So you can either talk to your relative and tell her to keep her mouth shut. Or you can ring the scan dept up, ask to speak to the sister, and ask how they can maintain your confidentiality in view of the fact you have a relative working there who you don't want to know.

When you see your community midwife you can politely mention that you have a relative who works at the hospital who you do not want her to find out that you're pregnant.

Not maintaining confidentiality is very serious and they could get into trouble for gossiping.

breach of data protection carries heavy fine - possibly this member of staff needs reminding of this

Yup, I would spread the word you have a relative working there. that way if they do find out then its obvious theres been some sort of breach of confidentiality that needs to be investigated

I've worked in a dept where team members relatives have been clients. If the manager is aware then their details are protected on all computer systems so only certain people can access that info. If anyone else got hold of that info and disclosed it there would be serious consequences (I know someone who lost their job over something similar).
I would speak to your midwife and explain. Yes people in offices do chat but if you have specificaly said this then it should be respected.

'everyone gossips' is not an excuse for breaching confidentiality. I agree you should explain your concerns To the scanning Dept and MW.