The delivery room should be a safe space for mothers, but unfortunately, many must begin advocating for themselves when they should be focusing on welcoming their child into the world. If you or your loved one see that this is happening, it’s important to act quickly and decisively, as your health and that of your child can depend on it. A birth injury may be imminent if you suspect that you’re receiving an inadequate standard of care. Knowing how to advocate for yourself in the first place is an important first step in this process.
Role Play Ahead of Time
Practice makes perfect, and even professionals need to do it in order to perform at the moment. Childbirth is an extremely stressful situation and it’s unlikely that you will be able to remember every question you mean to ask or every concern you have written down. In the heat of the moment, you and your partner could forget vital questions unless you prepare to ask them ahead of time. By going through the motions, you’ll also have the muscle memory to back you up and help you get the best care possible.
Know What to Expect – And What Your Options Are
The only way you can make an informed decision is by knowing what your options are in the first place. You may be offered a wide range of treatment options, and while many of these may be presented to you in a positive light, some may be riskier than others, and you may have the opportunity to forego some of them entirely if you believe the risk is too great. If you aren’t fully informed of all of your options and your child suffers a birth injury as a result, it’s vital that you seek out an attorney that specializes in these cases. They can help you then file a birth injury lawsuit to recover damages from any wounds you or your child suffered.
Ask Them Questions
Staying engaged with your medical providers is vital to monitor them while they deliver your child. Simple questions can also serve as a useful ramp toward greater and more confident advocacy on your behalf if you’re unsure of where to start or simply shy or afraid to begin. Types of questions you might ask to include the following:
- “Can you tell me more about that?”
- “What are the risks of this?”
- “How will this benefit me?”
- “I don’t understand, could you explain more?”
You can get a sense of the quality of medical care you’ll receive based on the types of interactions you experience. If your care providers are unwilling to or otherwise reluctant to answer your questions, you’ll want to be on guard for the type of care they will provide you.
Don’t Go Alone
Instead of relying on yourself for all of your advocacy during the birthing process, bring someone who can act in a supporting role with you. This may be your significant other, a friend, or a doula, who has specially trained for this role. Even someone who lacks experience in childbirth can be a better partner than no one during this delicate time.
Your delivery can be stressful enough, and the last thing you need to worry about is receiving inadequate medical care during the process. Knowing how to advocate for yourself and building experience in doing so can help you prepare for your delivery. With the right preparation, you may take the steps necessary to avoid a birth injury impacting you or your child. Should one occur despite your attempts to prevent one, you’ll also know what steps to take to obtain compensation on behalf of you or your child.
About the Author
Katherine Webre is a passionate writer with years of experience in legal. She has dedicated her career to represent the most vulnerable among us, children who have suffered severe injustice. Beyond legal action, Katherine also takes up the pen to raise awareness and inform audiences about birth injuries. By sharing her expertise, she hopes to empower people to act against any prejudice and works as a collaborative editor for Birth Injury Lawyer.
