Ch.15/ How to advocate for your dream birth
Learn my proven three steps to advocacy during your birth.
Alright, so we talked about WHY advocacy is important but what about HOW to do it?
I like to think of an ideal advocacy scenario as a three pronged system.
Let’s first set the scene. You’re in labor and your care provider comes to you and suggests you start an intervention.
Step One: Information Gathering
While they are explaining this, your partner is watching you to make sure you are able to listen and if a contraction starts then they are the one to tell the doctor to wait a minute so they can have your full attention. Your partner ask questions to the provider and to you so they know that you have all the information needed to make a decision. Then, your partner will ask for 10 or 15 minutes to discuss before making a decision.
The provider leaves the room for you to discuss and decide.
Step Two: The Breakdown
Next, your doula will help you break things down further. They’ll help both you and your partner understand why someone would or would not decide on this intervention and what it could mean for the rest of your labor.
Step Three: Decision
After having this conversation, you, the birthing person, decides on what to do.
I love this flow of advocacy because you are really utilizing your partner and your doula to their fullest potential. Your partner can be fully focused on you and making sure you have everything to make the best decision for you while your doula is bringing the professional information and their expertise.
This method isn’t set in stone. Of course, your doula can help prompt questions to the provider and your partner can reference their prenatal education during the discussion.
I love that no matter what, all roads lead to supporting the birthing person in helping you achieve informed consent.
If you’d like more info on advocacy, download my free Advocacy Workbook below:
