Telling Midwife about previous termination

[Torrancie]

Hello, if you can help me to make this tricky decision as you guys are the only people I feel I can tell my predicament to..

When I was 20 I began a relationship with my now husband. I decided to do the 'sensible' thing and go on the pill. Turns out we must have jumped the gun and I found myself pregnant. At 4 weeks I requested a medical termination (pills) I had to wait another week so at 5 weeks the pregnancy ended and I was given an Anti D injection as my blood type is O negative.

My question is: is it medically necessary to inform my midwife of this now I am happily 6 weeks pregnant (age 30)? No sensitisation would have occurred as I was given Anti D so I can't see what use this information would be to them. I asked for the termination not to be put on my GP records but will they show up elsewhere and nullify the fact I've kept this information to myself. My husband supported me through it all so he is in the loop but I really do not want to overshadow my 'first' pregnancy by having it noted that it is my second.

I know midwives are trained to be sympathetic but I really have a strong desire for the past not to be discussed again as long as it is medically safe to do so.

Any anecdotal experience or knowledge will be so gratefully received! Thanks

I never batted an eyelid at telling midwives I have had previous terminations. They are a common and legal medical procedure that the midwives won't judge you for.

I would mention it. It will be literally one line in your notes, in terms of the medical care it definitely won't overshadow this pregnancy; it's highly unlikely it would be mentioned again unless it somehow became medically relevant. I know it's not the same but when I mentioned a previous mc they asked maybe two questions and although it's on my notes you wouldn't notice if you weren't looking for it.

They definitely won’t judge you. But you dont need to tell them especially as it was so long ago. Also it doesn’t actually need to go on your notes if you mentioned it anyway if you did.

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/midwives-answer/will-past-abortion-affect-my-pregnancy

Link for you

You should always tell the truth..it could be important. It won't overshadow this pregnancy and they won't judge you. I doubt they will ever mention it to you again.

It is important to tell the truth . I had a termination many years before my DC. I told her once and it never came up again. It was just relevant history there was absolutely no overshadowing of any kind. It was one statement that was put in my notes and never brought up again. No judgement,I pretty much could have been saying I had had a broken leg and it would have been a similar reaction.

What I would say is you have no idea what is medically relevent which is why you I would argue it is better to be upfront. Several things happened in my pregnancies that were totally unforeseen and my medical need changed dramatically. What is relevent now may well be different in 6 months time.

It is of course your choice but I would consider it carefully.

I think you do need to tell them. The midwife won't bat an eyelid and definitely won't be judgemental. They'll probably ask 'any previous pregnancies' and if you lie and they then find out you have had a pp then it'll just look bad on you.

You'll be asked at your booking appointment, I wouldn't lie. It won't be mentioned again anyway, there's no chance of it overshadowing anything

I didnt mention that I'd had one as it was along time ago and didn't feel I wanted to talk about. The only time I ever seen it mentioned in my notes is when I went for growth scans it said how many previous pregnancies I'd had.

I never told mine. I knew I was maybe taking a risk but I couldn't find any information on line about why they would need to know. I didn't want it in my notes as I've never told my husband (it was before we met).

Congratulations and good luck with your pregnancy

The midwife will know you’ve had a termination. It’s all in your notes.

I never mentioned it.
I can't remember it being asked, if I was I think I would have said no.
How would it be relevant medically? I'm not saying it isn't, I just don't understand how it might be.

I had a termination at age 15. when I fell pregnant with DD1 at age 21, I told my midwife. She didn't bat an eyelid, asked me if I wanted it in my notes or not and it was never mentioned again she was lovely and honestly, they really won't judge you

You have “parity” written in your notes which will have the number of successful pregnancies, then a +, then the number of “unsuccessful” pregnancies

I did and my midwife wasn't judgy at all (though she was judgy about me being over-weight!). I'm rheus negative and I thought it was important for the medical team to have a full medical history. It meant that my baby was more closely monitored and I had to have an anti-d injections after I had bleeding.

No sensitisation would have occurred as I was given Anti D

Are you absolutely sure about this? And anyway, I wouldn't be messing about - I too had an earlier termination, and am Rhesus negative. It is really important, in my opinion, to let them know that you've possibly had Rhesus + blood.

How do you know the Anti D worked? What if your embryo is Rhesus +? You are putting your feelings above the health of your baby!

exposure to Rhesus + blood.

@IdblowJonSnow

I never mentioned it. I can't remember it being asked, if I was I think I would have said no. How would it be relevant medically? I'm not saying it isn't, I just don't understand how it might be.

OP is Rhesus Negative - it is MASSIVELY relevant!!!

You need to tell them being rhesus negative.

You will be asked, so just be honest.

I personally would mention it. They need to have a clear picture of your medical past.
Not saying this will happen, but if you ever end up in the situation where you are being treated for miscarriages, information like how many times you have successfully conceived is very relevant information. I don’t think it’s a good idea to hide anything from medical professionals.

Assuming your DH is Rhesus +, imo you 100% MUST tell them.

I have had two terminations. My DP doesn’t know about one of them and I mentioned it at my booking in appointment but asked for it not to be added to my notes, which my midwife totally respected. I understand where you’re coming from but honestly I would tell them. Then won’t judge you and this won’t tarnish your pregnancy in anyway. Also, congratulations!

Op they normally ask at your booking appointment, mainly to see if the termination was for medical reasons. There's no judgment, not that I've experienced anyway.