Advocating for yourself and your baby.
When you’re in the delivery room, you are not just a patient—you are the decision-maker for your birth experience. Knowing your rights as a birthing person is critical to feeling empowered and in control of your journey. As doulas in Northern Colorado, we’ve been lucky enough to work in hospitals that are open to their patients advocating and willing to meet their individual needs. From what we’ve experienced, here’s what we think you need to know to advocate for yourself and your baby.
Your Birth, Your Body, Your Choices
Every birthing person has the right to make decisions about their body and their baby. This includes:
• Informed Consent: You have the right to understand all medical procedures, interventions, and options before giving consent.
• The Right to Refuse: You can decline any procedure or intervention that doesn’t feel right for you.
• Support People of Your Choice: You have the right to choose who supports you in the birth space, whether that’s a partner, doula, or another trusted person.
Advocating for Your Needs
It’s not uncommon for birthing people to feel pressure in medical settings, but having a plan and knowing your rights can help.
• Create a Birth Plan: Clearly outline your preferences, including pain management, interventions, and postpartum care. This also helps educate you on the options available to you. Being informed and flexible is a beautiful combo!
• Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask your care team for clarification or alternatives. They work for you and you deserve all the information.
• Lean on Your Team: Your doula and/or your partner can be your advocate, helping to communicate your needs if you’re unable to. Be sure to spend time discussing preferences and the reasons behind them ahead of time.
Why This Matters
When you feel respected and heard during childbirth, it can have a lasting impact on your mental and emotional well-being, plus it can lower rates of unnecessary interventions. Empowering yourself with knowledge of your rights ensures you remain at the center of your birth story. It’s giving… main character energy.