Thanks to Grunt Doc for pointing folks to my post series on “How to Get Pregnant“. Despite his telling readers that the series is a poke at our medicalization of normal life, it appears that some readers still don’t get me. Because once again, I’ve gotten a chiding comment from an offended reader accusing me of being insensitive to the needs of women. Here’s what Christian wrote today:
If I asked my physician for advice on how to conceive a healthy child, then I’d expect something a little more helpful than “have sex.” …After years of trying to avoid pregnancy is it so surprising that a woman might have a question or two? Conception isn’t a trivial choice for many women. It’s not unreasonable to expect that your doctor might be able to provides some good advice.
It’s hard to be funny when you are a doctor, particularly when you are writing about subjects as sensitive as reproduction. Therefore, I have designed that humor warning sign up there, and attached it to the post so readers will know right up front not to take me too seriously. We’ll see if it works…
Feel free to use it on your own blogs to warn readers to lighten up.
Category: Second Opinions
I find the implication that normal, otherwise healthy people need advice from anyone, let alone a doctor, on one of the very most basic processes (and instincts) laughable.
It’s odd that people want to find fault with their docs over, well, everything. Had you given advice you’re liable for their not conceiving, when you tell them to ‘get out of the way and let nature take its course’ you’re not being reassuring enough. Phooey.
Good for you for pointing out that not everything needs professional oversight.
GruntDoc
I like the sign. Some people like to get offended, and they will get offended no matter what you do, but the sign is extra entertainment for the rest of us.
I’m going to make sure Neonataldoc sees that sign– I know the author of that blog personally, and I know that he also has the issue of people of taking him seriously when he is, in fact, being facetious.
I appreciate this. I think that when you’re a physician, it’s easy to tick people off no matter WHAT you write about. I actually shut down my blog because of this. I don’t know how to own my own experiences without someone feeling as if his/her toes are being stepped on. (Now that I think about it, though, that’s a good metaphor for life in general, I think.)
Thanks, it’s a great sign. I might use it someday.
Perhaps the fact that our society does not teach sex education effectively, and, actively convinces both men and women be unaware of their bodies is part of what makes this so sensitive.
I am dealing with infertility at the moment and know how ultra-sensitive one can become. What has made me the most angry has been the miseducation I, and others, have received from doctors, the media, parents, etc. Very few men and women are ever taught that there are certain times of the month when you are more likely to conceive than others – and how to determine it. There are things that should have been taught in high school (or junior high) sex ed that weren’t.
The truth is, I was shocked when I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility by how much I didn’t know about my own body’s NORMAL functioning. I am very well educated (Master’s Degree) and know how to do research to find things out. It was surprising what I did not know. I don’t know of an equivalent resource for men.
And, honestly, the post was not framed in a way that was all that funny. (On the other hand, I just thought it was lame – not irresponsible.)
Pax,
MLO