Advocating for yourself during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
Speaking up for yourself isn’t always easy. However, you are the expert on your body and your baby. You deserve to be heard and understood by your perinatal team of providers.
“Maternal Self Advocacy”…. What is it?
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Active Participation: It's about taking an active role in your healthcare, rather than passively accepting recommendations.
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Informed Decision-Making: It means gathering information about your pregnancy, potential risks, and available options to make informed choices about your care.
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Communicating Needs: It involves clearly expressing your concerns, preferences, and questions to your healthcare providers.
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Seeking Support: It includes bringing a support person (partner, friend, family member, or doula) to appointments and asking for clarification when needed.
Why is this important?
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Improved Outcomes: Research suggests that maternal self-advocacy can lead to better pregnancy and birth outcomes, as well as improved maternal and infant health.
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Reduced Stress: Feeling empowered and in control can reduce stress and anxiety during a potentially challenging time.
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Respect and Empowerment: It ensures that your needs and preferences are respected and that you feel empowered in your decisions.
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Better Communication: It can facilitate better communication between you and your healthcare providers, leading to a more collaborative and positive experience.
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Addressing Black maternal health crisis: Self-advocacy can help raise awareness and combat the Black maternal health crisis by empowering Black women to safeguard their health and the health of their unborn babies
Need to get your Provider’s Attention?
Use your "CURSE" words - this handy tool (inspired by AHRQ's "CUS Tool") is intended to help you remember what to say to effectively express your level of distress to your providers in a way they are trained to hear and take seriously:
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"I am Concerned"
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"I am Uncomfortable"
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"I am not feeling Reassured"
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"I don't feel I and/or my baby are Safe"
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"Can you please Explain your findings to help me understand?"
Urgent Maternal Warning Signs
Seek care immediately if you are pregnant or within one year of delivery and have any of these symptoms
“Choices in Childbirth” Film Library
Films available:
