Information on popular complementary and alternative medical topics

COUNSELLING THE PATIENT WITH THE UNPLANNED PREGNANCY – INTRODUCTION

There are certain basic differences in counselling a woman with an unplanned pregnancy compared to other counselling situations (Coles, 1983). First, there is a definite time limit. If the woman is contemplating abortion, this is safer and easier if performed before about 12 weeks’ gestation. As it can take some time to organize a hospital appointment and a bed, this may result in little time for discussion between diagnosis of the pregnancy and arranging a possible abortion. Sometimes it is better to make the arrangements first and then allow time for counselling, cancelling the appointment later if necessary.

Second, a decision has to be made. One would normally not advise anyone to make an irreversible decision at a time of great stress, yet if the pregnant woman avoids making a decision, a baby will arrive. A further problem is that the doctor has the legal power to agree or disagree to an abortion. Some women may resent this power, or feel they have to give a good enough story to convince the doctor, thereby making it difficult for the doctor to know what they really feel. For this reason, many clinics have nonmedical counsellors. The doctor can diffuse this situation, however, by making it plain at the beginning that he or she is willing to arrange an abortion and then allowing the woman time to discuss her feelings.

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