Being your own advocate is crucial when it comes to prenatal care, from your first prenatal visit through delivery and postpartum.
As mothers, we frequently receive advice on selecting a skilled physician and a birth team that complies with our preferences. But starting today, I want you to consider YOURSELF an important component of your care team.MAMA YOU ARE THE WHOLE REASON WHY WE ARE HERE!!!
I often saw this while working at the hospital. I fight for my patients' rights while also advising mothers to stand up for themselves if something doesn't feel right.
But regrettably, I don't see all healthcare professionals standing up for their patients' rights, and I don't see all women having an equal chance to advocate for themselves.
Tragically, women of color are frequently silenced, which has terrible consequences. Right now
I want to talk about practical ways you can educate yourself, advocate for yourself during pregnancy and delivery, and shed some light on the shockingly high rates of black maternal deaths in the US because it NEEDS to be addressed!
I want to talk about practical ways you can educate yourself, advocate for yourself during pregnancy and delivery, and shed some light on the shockingly high rates of black maternal deaths in the US because it NEEDS to be addressed!
Table Of Contents
- Why is it vital to get ready to advocate for yourself?
- Death rates among black mothers
- Let's examine the figures.
- To the black ladies who are reading this:
- Why is the US experiencing this tragedy?
- Remember God is the Supreme Ruler.
Most importantly, what can the healthcare industry DO about it? And to all black ladies who are expecting or have just had a baby, put yourself first! ALWAYS.....
Use Your Voice Mama!!!!: 25 Ways to Advocate For Yourself During Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond.
Pregnancy self-advocacy strategies include:
How to advocate for oneself when giving birth:
How to be an advocate after giving birth and beyond:
Do not forget that you are vocal!
For information, advice, and support on all things related to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, follow @maternal treasuresandmom!
Why is it vital to get ready to advocate for yourself?
- No mother should only follow the instructions and check the boxes of the advised care during pregnancy and delivery. Instead, I want to empower you to actively participate in your care and speak out for yourself at every turn. This is crucial not only for you but also for other women who are too afraid to speak up.
- because, mother, you know what? Only YOU, whether it be physically or intellectually, know exactly how you're feeling. Mama you hold the greatest power to have your needs met if you know how to advocate.
- I've outlined below specific methods you can speak up for yourself when giving birth and while pregnant. You'll observe that some of the recommendations call for further study and education, some do urge surrounding yourself with individuals you feel at ease around, and many of them just call for speaking up and making use of your most crucial tool—your unyielding voice.
Death rates among black mothers
In the US, black mothers are 3–4 times more likely than white mothers to pass away from problems connected to pregnancy. Yes. You read correctly. And it's unacceptable, to put it mildly.
Any death of a woman during or within one year of her pregnancy that was brought on by a pregnancy-related condition is referred to as a pregnancy-related death (or pregnancy-related mortality). There may have been a series of events that began with the pregnancy. OR when pregnancy results in death as a result of other (unrelated) problems getting worse.
Let's examine the figures.
In 2018, the CDC released updated statistics on maternal mortality (pregnancy-related deaths) in the US based on all births from 2007 to 2016. To assist you better understand what I'm talking about, here is a brief summary:
EVERY live birth: 17.4 fatalities for every 100,000 newborns
Black women's maternal mortality rate is 40.8 per 100,000 births.
White women's maternal mortality rate is 12.7 per 100,000 births.
As you can see, that is more than TWICE the average, and these numbers do not account for deaths from drug overdose or suicide in people over 45, women who died more than 42 days after giving birth, or women who were pregnant at the time of their deaths. visit this Instagram post
Marilyn Smith (@maternaltreasures) And Facebook @maternaltreasures
Additionally, when maternal age rises, the gap widens, and schooling also has an effect:
Black (and American Indian) women over the age of 30 had a 4-5 times higher risk of dying from a pregnancy-related complication than white women.
Additionally, compared to white women with the same level of education, black and American Indian women were 5.2 times more likely to pass away from a pregnancy-related problem.
To the black ladies who are reading this:
Sadly, this is a HORRIBLE statistic that applies to the US and is absolutely real. I'm hoping that by helping to raise awareness of the problem, CHANGE will eventually happen. My goal in writing this article, and in presenting this information specifically, is to provide you with answers that you can implement right immediately.
If you are a woman of color, it is NOT my desire to increase your worry about birth.
Let's examine this in greater detail;
Why is the US experiencing this tragedy?
Even though the reason is unclear, it is obvious that SOMETHING is wrong. Input from experts is being sought in order to narrow these gaps.
We think there are several problems involved, including:
- Institutional racism in healthcare and society
- Increased risk of various health problems in black women that may have an impact on pregnancy morbidities .
- The disturbing trends in maternal health are a result of a lack of access to excellent prenatal care and severe underfunding in family support and healthcare initiatives.
A simple explanation of the aging theory and structural racism
Black individuals frequently obtain healthcare that is of worse quality due to structural racism in the industry. When black individuals seek medical attention because they are in agony, they are denied care or are not treated with dignity and respect by medical professionals because of their own racial prejudices.
Black people's physical and mental health deteriorate due to a series of biological processes known as weathering that are brought on by these stressors and the cumulative effects of racism. It is also claimed that this same reason explains why some health issues are far more common in the Black community!
Most importantly, what can the healthcare industry DO about it?
1. TO MAKE CRITICAL SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE
- Boost current health initiatives and aid in reproductive healthcare
- Assessing and assisting mothers at risk of premature birth
- Get rid of maternity care shortages
- Provide resources for black women to understand the healthcare system.
2. RAISING THE STANDARD OF CARE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN:
- To combat prejudice and create a more diverse healthcare workforce, practitioners should receive training.
- Make standardized tests for new mothers and babies.
- Adopt new care delivery methods and tie payment to performance.
3. CONCERN MOTHER-INFANT MENTAL HEALTH:
- Identify obstacles to obtaining services for maternal mental health.
- Remove obstacles to care by using a thorough strategy.
- Infant and early childhood mental health problems should be screened for and treated.
4. IMPROVE ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES PRIOR TO AND AFTER BIRTH:
- Access to policies and programs that support families' fundamental needs should be increased.
- Invest in neighborhood initiatives that provide all-inclusive services at one location.
- Enrollment in public benefit programs should be made simpler.
- Spend money on home visits.
Support initiatives for community-based communication and education that assist families.
5. AMEND DATA COLLECTION AND SUPERVISION:
- Norm the information on birth and death certificates.
- Create and support committees to study fetal and newborn mortality.
- Make sure the evaluation process is equitable.
- a fresh call to action
- And to all black ladies who are expecting or have just had a baby, put yourself first!
- You must be your own strongest supporter while these more significant, systemic changes take root.
- Like I mentioned, I discuss this for all moms, but you know what?
Mama you must be your own strongest supporter while these more significant, systemic changes take root.
Like I mentioned, I speak on this topic for all mothers, but at this time, I want to directly target the black mothers out there! EVERYONE MATTERS. There should NEVER be partiality with anything that spells HUMAN RIGHTS. Black Mamas Matter Too!!!!
Here's a brief breakdown of your options:
- If you feel you aren't being treated fairly, change practices (if you can).
- During pregnancy and after giving birth, speak up for yourself and continue to do so.
- Take a birth class; the more knowledgeable YOU are, the more comfortable you'll feel speaking out. Deciding to take one of our birth class will empower you to become more confident as I answer your concerns and teach you the hospital routine as it pertains to your admission on the labor ward.
- Hire a doula or look for a program that uses volunteer doulas. There is evidence that doulas reduce stress, improve patient happiness, and prevent C-sections.
- Use the other recommendations in this post; they're all going to help.
Use Your Mama Voice: Here are 24 Ways to Advocate For Yourself During Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond.
25 ways YOU can speak up for yourself during childbirth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period
A woman's chances of having a great delivery experience are MUCH higher if she knows how to advocate for herself! That's because you feel more knowledgeable and in control before giving birth!
- First of all, speaking up for yourself is NOT being outspoken or forceful, whether it be during pregnancy or in any other area of your life. Being aggressive and being confrontational are two different things. \s
- There is a distinction between:
- "I know you would want for me to give birth in the bed, but I am low risk and would prefer to give birth while standing, if the baby is healthy."
- " I'm not giving birth in bed because I know I am low risk. I going to birth standing up"!
A woman's chances of having a great delivery experience are MUCH higher if she knows how to advocate for herself! That's because you feel more knowledgeable and in control before giving birth!
First of all, speaking up for yourself means not being vocal or forceful, whether it be during pregnancy or in any other area of your life.
Being aggressive and being confrontational are two different things. There is a distinction between saying "I understand you would prefer to have me labor in the bed, but I am low risk and I would prefer to labor standing up as long as everything is well with the baby" and "I know you would prefer that I labor in the bed."
Mama it's TOALLY acceptable to voice your concerns if anything doesn't set well with you, and I strongly advise you to do so!
Following is a list of specific strategies to speak out for yourself during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum:
Pregnancy self-advocacy strategies include:
1.Pick a service provider who makes you feel at ease:
This indicates that they pay attention to you and, maybe more crucially, that they help you feel heard. You get the impression from them that their principles and views are compatible with the prenatal care and delivery you desire.
Keep in mind that you are free to change providers at ANY time during your pregnancy. Furthermore, you owe no one an explanation. (To assist with this, study about midwives vs. OB/GYNs.)
2.Participate in maternity care: The action of actually engaging in the advised
Therefore, regardless if you are considered to be at "low risk," please, kindly, don't forgo prenatal treatment! If anything arises, the screenings we conduct at each prenatal session could actually save your life.
3.Ask lots of questions!
Ask questions and get interested about your treatment mama! We have actually heard it all, and a competent healthcare professional will appreciate your involvement in your care. Mama, if they don't, think twice about switching.
4.Make a birth plan and discuss it: I have one for you (FREE) in your class package when purchased
I always mention birth plans with the disclaimer that things don't always go as planned, but the act of making one is SO powerful because it starts a conversation with your healthcare provider and increases your knowledge and confidence about giving birth, which improves your ability to advocate for yourself.
5.Learn about childbirth:I highly recommend taking a class between 28- 30 weeks
Continuing from the previous sentence, receiving childbirth education may be the single best method to get ready to be an advocate during labor, delivery, and postpartum.
A complete comprehension of everything is essential. Because I want as many mothers as possible to learn this information, I keep my online childbirth program very affordable.
6.Ask questions bout the hospital's policies and procedures
Before your due date, inquire about policies and accepted practices: For example, do they follow a family-centered care model?, what are their rooming-in policy for the baby?, when do they recommend C-sections and when do they propose inductions?
Knowing these in advance can REALLY help you advocate more successfully when the time comes.
7.Keep in mind that you have the right to refuse anything:
Yes! This is quite significant. Before making a snap decision, though, assess the benefits and drawbacks, and ask your providers for their opinion.
8.Recognize your risk factors
Have a thorough discussion about your risk factors with your clinician during your first (or subsequent!) prenatal checkup. Your risk of problems is influenced by factors like age, race, pre-pregnancy weight/BMI, family history, and current medical issues.
You can be better prepared to recognize warning signs and raise concerns if you are aware of these for yourself and what they actually mean.
Numerous inquiries Unanimously, yeah! Ask questions and get enquiring about your treatment! We have literally heard it all, and a competent healthcare professional will appreciate your involvement in your care.
9.Learn how to be assertive- not everyone knows how to do this ; Training is key!
Being assertive is a good way to life as we go through our daily lives, not only when we are pregnant but in everyday life. It gives wisdom and more understanding as we relate in our relationships.
Some time the way we say things can determine if we get what we so desire.
It's the ability to speak up for ourselves in a way that is honest and respectful. Every day, we're in situations where being assertive can help us. Keep in mind that being assertive doesn't come naturally to everyone.We all need to study and use it wisely. Learn how to be assertive here.
How to advocate for NUMBER ONE when giving birth:
Talk about your suffering: Each person has a different experience with pain and their ability to tolerate it. NO ONE else has the authority to determine if your pain is greater or less than you claim. Keep talking about your pain if it isn't being treated seriously.
1.Talk about your apprehensions:
Guys, I can't stress enough how crucial this is as a labor and delivery nurse! Mental obstacles are SUCH A BIG DEAL. A good care provider will change their practice or approach (if possible!) if you let them know these things are happening, so speaking out in advance or when they occur in real-time is Wow! what a crucial kind of self-advocacy!
2.Talk about your apprehensions:
MAMA! I can't stress enough how crucial this is as a labor and delivery nurse! Mental obstacles are SUCH A BIG DEAL. A good care provider will change their practice or approach (if possible!) if you let them know these things are happening, so speaking out in advance or when they occur in real-time is SUCH a crucial kind of self-advocacy!
3.Keep in mind that you are an integral part of your birth team:
Never ever lose sight of the fact that the people in your care can speak to you.
Include yourself in decision-making, but don't forget to listen as well: You can ultimately decline anything, but if you've taken the time to select a reputable provider and a hospital or birthplace that you're comfortable with, hear what they have to say.
4. GET your own help people who also advocate:
Support can be a great source of support and advocacy during childbirth. Be sure to include them in the birthing education and have a conversation with them about your birth preferences before the big event.
When something doesn't feel right in your gut, ask why:
5.Question everything you do not understand
This comes into place when you are ill and not well. Knowing what is going on with procedures is essential.
6.Only YOU can determine whether you went through birth trauma:
Yep mama. It is real. I urge you to speak with your doctor or a therapist if you think you may have birth trauma if you're still struggling with unfavorable emotions related to your birth.
The consequences of holding onto these emotions can last the rest of your life.
How to advocate postpartum
1.Talk about your birth and share your experience:
This can improve in your trauma recovery and make your event seem more real. No matter how the birth turned out, talking can be incredibly helpful for processing because many women describe birth as a painful experience. Forgive for what has happened but if you feel that you were not treated fairly then seek counsel professionally. Forgiveness goes a long way to also help with your recovery.
2.Just YOU can determine whether you went through birth trauma:
Just YOU can determine whether you went through birth trauma: Yep. It is real. I urge you to speak with your doctor or a therapist if you think you may have birth trauma if you're still struggling with unfavorable emotions related to your birth. The consequences of holding onto these emotions can last the rest o
f your life.
3.Keep bringing it up if something seems off with your healing:
Once more, you should be the one to listen to your body and not allow anyone to silence you if you feel something is odd. Or they might have not given you your baby in a while. Continue to ask if there is no logical reason why you cannot have your baby.
4.Encourage the hospital to provide you with comfortable infant care:
Don't feel forced by hospital conventions to follow them, whether that means rooming in, using the nursery, postponing care procedures, having care procedures done immediately, etc. Learn about things beforehand so that you can anticipate what will make you feel comfortable.
5.Use lactation consultants and ask plenty of questions about breastfeeding:
If you intend to breastfeed, I strongly advise making as many visits as you can to the lactation consultant while you're in the hospital. On the other hand express yourself if you DO NOT wish to breastfeed: Equally
significant! If solely breastfeeding doesn't seem right for you, don't feel obligated to do it.
Always fight for your personal welfare and that of your child. Do not forget that you are ASSERTIV!ELY VOCAL . Finally, speak up if you don't agree with how something is done, have concerns, or simply don't feel like you are being treated fairly!
Being assertive and speaking up for yourself are acceptable behaviors; in fact, you SHOULD do so! I endorse it for all my clients.
6.Remember God has the final say about everything
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7.
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; Their foot shall slide in due time: For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things that shall come upon them make haste.Deuteronomy 32:35.
God is a judge looking down at the good and bad (Proverbs 15:3), we all do and no one will go unpunished.
Conclusion
You are an essential member of the healthcare team, and providers, nurses, and other team members don't always know what's best for you.
It's crucial that you educate yourself on birth, are aware of your preferences, and pay attention to your healthcare professional if they recommend anything that makes you uncomfortable.
You should both listen, weigh the advantages and disadvantages, and then decide together on a course of action. So, Mama I challenge you to use your voice: I hope these 24 Ways to Advocate For Yourself During Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond have given you more confidence in navigating during your hospital visit.
Above all, trust your instincts!
"Always in self-advocacy, be polite, be open to learning new things, be kind - but also, be firm and be persistent. You are a good parent for seeking out the very best care for yourself and your baby. Do whatever it takes to advocate for yourself! "
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