All tagged Advocacy
(And how we can start changing that)
You’re sitting in an exam room, trying to make sense of what your provider just said, and even though you have a question or concern, you can’t quite bring yourself to speak up. You nod. You smile. And later, you replay the moment over and over, wishing you’d asked, pressed pause, or said, “Actually, I’m not sure I agree.”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Here's what might be going on.
Have you ever found yourself leaving a care provider's appointment thinking "What just happened?" and wishing you had a few more minutes with them to figure out what they were recommending AND how you feel about it?
If so, here are five questions to consider:
It can be challenging enough trying to navigate our own choices in childbirth. When we add the expectations of others into the mix, it gets downright stressful. How can we manage the expectations of others? Let’s dig a little deeper.
In an ideal world, every pregnant person would have the ability to carefully and intentionally choose a maternity care provider who was a good match for them.
In Calgary, the reality of choosing a maternity care provider is more akin to “You get what you get and you don’t get upset”. This means that sometimes you and your maternity care provider are not a good fit for each other and the relationship may suffer from a breakdown in communication, mutual respect, and/or trust.
Sometimes, you may be able to change care providers. But if not, or you choose to stay with your current care provider, what can you do to cultivate a more positive, functional relationship? How can you advocate for yourself and your baby in a kind and assertive way?
