NEED TO BE HEARD?
BEING INFORMED & INVOLVED GETS BETTER RESULTS!
Say…
- I have some questions and concerns. I’d like you to answer them.
- I want to be informed and involved in any decisions that are made about me and my baby.
- Do you welcome the support of a doula and my birth plan?
- How can we work together to keep me and my baby safe and healthy?
- Is my pregnancy considered low risk or high risk? Please explain why?
WHEN THE ANSWERS ARE RUSHED OR UNCLEAR
Say…
- I don’t understand your answer/explanation. Can you say it more slowly? or Can you explain it simply?
- I know you are pressed for time, but my health is important to me.
- Please take a few minutes more to discuss this with me.
- If you don’t have time now, how will I get the answers I need to put my mind at ease?
- I don’t feel safe because I feel like you’re not listening to me.
- I want to speak to the person in charge of Patient Safety and Quality here.
- No decisions about me without me!
- If you experience disrespect or feel dismissed, and the provider is not apologetic or concerned when you call it to their attention, finding another provider may be the best the option.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR PROVIDER
Say…
- Do you support Normal or Physiologic Birth?
- I want to allow my body to labor and give birth under my own power to avoid c-section and other medical procedures. Do you support that plan?
- What percent of your deliveries are cesarean sections?
- Can I have more than one person support me during my birth?
- I have a Doula to help me with my birth. Do you welcome Doula support?
LEARN ABOUT A HOSPITAL OR BIRTHING CENTER YOU ARE CONSIDERING
Say…
- I would like to learn about the hospital where I will give birth – in terms of patient care, respect, and safety.
- How are they working to improve maternity care?
- How are they addressing racism and bias?
- How can I find out the hospital’s c-section rate and infection rate?
- I had a c-section – can I try for a vaginal delivery this time?
- Is the hospital Baby Friendly and Breast Feeding Friendly?
- Are there Birthing Rooms for laboring, birth and recovery?
- When can I take a tour of the Birthing Center or Hospital?
BRING A TRUSTED ADVOCATE WITH YOU
- If possible select an advocate you trust – a friend or relative who will keep your health information confidential and not impose their opinions on your decisions.
- Choose someone who is a good communicator.
- Your advocate can help research health information, keep track of your progress, and support you in communicating with providers and staff.
- If you are not well or in pain, or if you feel stressed or intimidated, your advocate’s support in communicating can help prevent complications or errors in your care.
RIGHT TO SAFE CARE & RESPECT
It’s your right to ask questions and get the answers and information you need to make your own health choices.
Ask your questions and see if the midwife or doctor responds with care and respect. Do they listen to you?
Repeat back any information or instructions – to be sure you understand.
You have a legal right to informed consent before any test, treatment or procedure.
CLAIMING SPACE
You have the right to a clear explanation before anything is done to your body, and to refuse or accept any test, treatment or procedure.
Learn as much as you can about giving birth so that you can state what You want for your body, your pregnancy and birth.
You deserve respectful, personalized care. Tell the provider or find another provider if you are treated with disrespect.
CHECK OUT MATERNITY CARE SERVICES
AVOID facilities and providers with high C-section rates and complication rates.
Ask the hospitals and local and state departments of health for statistics on maternity services.
Check out the credentials and reputations of providers and hospitals.
Seek out Black providers or non-Black providers who offer culturally responsive and person centered care with dignity.
BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU!
Bring someone you trust -your advocate- to prenatal & postpartum visits & the birth.
Your advocate helps make sure you are heard, and that you understand instructions or information about tests, treatments or procedures.
Your advocate can ask staff and providers to introduce themselves and wash hands before they touch you.
TRUST YOUR BODY
If you don’t feel right tell your partner, family or other support person, AND your provider. It could be the first sign of a problem.
After the birth get help right away for:
- heavy bleeding
- headache
- chest pain
- difficult breathing
- fever over 100.4 F
- seizures
- pain or swelling in a leg
- thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby
SUPPORT IS HEALING, STRESS IS HARMFUL
Supportive prenatal care has been shown to improve birth outcomes, reduce premature births and increase breastfeeding.
The care of midwives and support of doulas both improve birth experiences and reduce medical interventions and c-sections.
Black doulas, midwives, and doctors are more likely to be culturally sensitive to the concerns of Black Moms.