I’m pregnant, and I have so many questions and concerns that I sometimes can’t sleep. I often use Google to find answers. Is that okay?
Dr. Google is not very smart. Google simply gives you an answer, based on the question you ask, but it doesn’t know what’s true and what’s not true. The first response to your search may not right. Or, you may also read one answer on one website, and then another website will say something completely different. It can be hard to know what’s most correct.
The good news is, there are reliable sources of information on the internet: you just have to know which ones consistently provide reliable information.
Overall health information: Medline Plus
MedlinePlus (medlineplus.gov) is operated by the National Institutes of Health’s U.S. National Library of Medicine. This website is a reliable source of scientifically-based, peer-reviewed health information. There are no advertisements because it is already paid for by tax dollars. All the information is written by healthcare professionals (MDs, PhDs, RNs, etc) and it is 100% available in Spanish. If you had one place to go for information, this should be it.
Information about Women’s Health
All of the Nash Ob/Gyn physicians are members of the American College Of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which is a national organization that provides information to providers and patients about best practices for Women’s Health. Their patient information website, www.acog.org/womens-health, can answer many questions you may have about different medical problems or treatment options.
Information about pregnancy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information about many health topics. They have a dedicated website for pregnancy, www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/index.html, which has answers to questions about everything from how to get ready for pregnancy to what medicines are safe in pregnancy.
Information about sexual health
Intimacy is an important part of our lives. Sarleteen, www.scarleteen.com, is an inclusive, comprehensive, and supportive website about sexuality and relationships for teens and emerging adults. MiddleSexMD, middlesexmd.com, is a reliable, confidential women’s sexual health resource for information and products that can help you keep this part of your life vital and joyful for as long as you choose, for sex after 40, after 50, and beyond—sex after menopause.
Knowledge is power. Take the time to learn about your medications and your diagnoses. But, do not attempt to diagnose or treat yourself based on any internet source. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us: we’re here to help!
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