Self Advocate Pt. 2

This post is a follow-up to last week's Self Advocate Pt. 1 

In today’s day and age we as patients feel that we are at the mercy of our doctor or OB when it comes to giving birth. “The doctor let me birth in this position” or “I had to birth that way” - (I’m not referring to legitimate medically necessary cesarean births.)

What so many forget is that the doctors work for us! Yes, we are their patients, but we are also their CLIENTS. Name another professional that you use that you allow them to tell you what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it - no questions asked. If you’re looking at a costly repair on your car, or home you are most likely going to look for a second opinion or just ask to see an itemized list of the bill so you can better understand WHY the cost is so much and you can make an INFORMED decision. 

Why don’t we feel the same when it comes to not only our health, but the health of our babies? Since becoming a doula I’ve heard of so many horrible birth experiences and a lot of them start the same way, they didn’t speak up to stop an intervention that they were uncomfortable with, or the mother already had a gut instinct that they were not comfortable with the medical professional (doctor, OB, midwife, nurse, etc.) but still continued care with them. 

Did you know that you can switch care providers? Did you know that you can tell the staff that you do not want a specific nurse working with you? Did you know that preparing for your birth and birth plan gives you and your partner the confidence to tell a medical provider “NO” when it comes to decisions that you feel you are being bullied into? 

Yes, you are in their care however this is YOUR BIRTH. This is a story you will tell for the rest of your life. Do your part to self advocate against unnecessary interventions, research newborn procedures and what they do to your baby right after they enter the world. Informed concent is so incredibly important and you deserve to be knowledgeable before you’re in labor. 

If you don’t know where to start or are overwhelmed with the idea of planning your birth, let’s start working together now!