How should a healthcare provider respond to a pregnant patient who expresses concerns about nightmares related to labor?

Encouraging a pregnant patient to discuss her feelings and fears, especially regarding nightmares related to labor, is a supportive and important response. Open communication allows the patient to express her anxieties, which can help her process these feelings and feel more understood. Discussing fears related to labor can also provide an opportunity for the healthcare provider to offer information, coping strategies, and reassurance, ultimately helping the patient feel more empowered about her upcoming experience.

Listening and validating the patient's concerns can foster a trusting relationship between the patient and the provider, which is critical during pregnancy—a time often filled with uncertainty and anxiety. This empathetic approach can be beneficial for the patient's mental and emotional well-being, as well as for her overall experience during childbirth.

In contrast, simply telling her to stop worrying dismisses her concerns and does not engage with her feelings. An immediate referral to a therapist may not be necessary unless her fears are severe and persistent, and assuring her that most babies are fine avoids addressing her specific fears, which are valid and deserving of attention.