Dec 9, 20236 min read

Why Understanding Your Rights Is Crucial for Your Personal Empowerment

WARNING! Prepare yourself for some GRAPHIC CONTENT photographs shot during previous sessions.

Giving birth is a significant life event we will remember forever. Knowing your Birth Rights can help protect you from future mistreatment and lower the risk of traumatic birth experience.

What is Birth Trauma? Birth trauma is a severe injury that occurs during childbirth and impacts your mental or physical health.

Is Birth Trauma, even a thing? YUPPERS! Common Causes of Birth Trauma Emergency C-Section, mistreatment from medical providers (ignored, lack of respect), extend labor, poor pain relief (lack there of) and NICU transfer.

Are there symptom's? How would we know? To name a few nightmares or difficulty sleeping, anxiety and causes difficulty bonding with your baby.

I share these with you so you are emotionally and mentally prepared. We are finally taking control of our OWN bodies.

You have the RIGHT to:

To Autonomy:

You have the right to decide what happens to your own body and to refuse recommended medications or procedures.

For example:

- you have the right to refuse induction

- decide whether or not to get an epidural

- eat and drink during labor (Big One)

- AND give birth in ANY position of your choice

- right to choose where to labor and give birth ( hospital transfer, home or birth center)

- even leave the hospital or birth center against medical advice.

Hospital policies do not override these rights.

One of my clients below: choose to have an epidural and wanted to birth on all fours. The hospital was strongly against it but she remembered our session lesson on Birthing Rights. Mommy speak up! It's your birth right!

To Be Informed:

You have the right to be fully educated about any recommended medication or procedure, the possible risks and benefits, and your options. You have the right to choose any available option, including the option to do nothing. If you do not speak fluent English, you have the right to an interpreter to help you understand your options.

To Support:

You have the right to choose your support providers during labor and delivery. These people may be your spouse or another relative, a friend, or trained support professional like myself a DOULA.

You also have the right to ask people to leave, including your support people AND care providers.

Here in this photo I am holding my clients hand while her husband is holding the other. TEAM WORK lol

To Respect:

You have the right to be treated and spoken to with respect by your care providers. Your care providers do not have the right to insult, threaten, coerce, or physically force you to do anything against your wishes.

You have the right to be treated with respect regardless of age, race, national and ethnic origin, immigration status, socio-economic class, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.

To Parent: (This is a BIG ONE)

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO BE SEPARATED FROM YOUR BABY! You have the right to breastfeed if you choose to do so. You have the right to make informed medical decisions for your baby, including refusing recommended care.

HOWEVER, healthcare providers must inform child protective services (CPS) if they believe that your refusal qualifies as abuse or neglect.

The next big question; what to do if my Rights are violated?

If you feel as though your pregnancy rights or during labor & delivery are being violated, you have a few options:

Right to Document the Violation:

Tell your provider to record the situation in your MEDICAL CHART.

PLEASE, (I can't stress this enough) DEMAND to have everything documented. If you must, you may also consider taking your own documentation, such as photos, video, recordings of conversations with your medical provider, or notes.

IF it gets this far; you may need this documentation in court or when filing a formal complaint.

State Your Wishes Out Loud: (my favorite)

Precise, simple phrases such as "I do not consent" and "Stop, I am saying no" can help eliminate any confusion about your wishes. Ask your medical provider to confirm that they can hear you saying no and understand that you do not consent.

Ask to See Policies in Writing

You don't have to take your provider's word for it. Ask to see hospital policies or evidence-based information in writing. Ask for a second opinion if you'd like one.

Ask for More Information

Questions such as "Is this an emergency?" "What happens if we wait?" and "What are all of my options?" can help buy time and reopen communication between you and your care providers.

Talk to a Patient Advocate

Most hospitals have patient advocates who can step in to help resolve patient concerns or tense situations between patients and healthcare providers.

File a Formal Complaint

If you've already experienced a violation, you have the right to file a formal complaint with the hospital, the hospital's regulatory agency, the state medical board, or all of the above.

You have the right to a safe delivery and healthy start for you and your baby. Knowing what to say can make all the difference. It's normal to feel overwhelmed during pregnancy, but with the Bill of Rights in hand, know that you're entitled to respectful, thoughtful and informative prenatal and postpartum care.

Quick Summary:

1. I have the right to ask as many questions as I want...

What to say: I'm not sure if that decision works for me. Can you explain that further? Are there other care options available? If so, can you inform me of any pros and cons?

2. I have the right to culturally competent care...

What to say: I feel better respected when I [am referred to with these pronouns, have a loved one present, get to take notes, have time to ask questions, receive materials in another language … ]

3. I have the right to be respected...

What to say: I know you suggested that I do X, but it would work better for my family and me if I could try Y. Let’s discuss this decision.

4. I have the right to feel all of my emotions without guilt...

What to say: I'm feeling [insert emotion] and need time to take care of myself and process my feelings. Can you watch the baby (or give me some space) for a while?

5. I have the right to challenge and report mistreatment...

(If someone is not listening to you and they're not respecting you, then you have to take it up a notch. There are always hospital administrators who are on call 24/7.")

What to say: I've asked you to do X, and it seems you're not hearing me or respecting my concerns. Is there someone else I can speak to or work with to get the care I need?

6. I have the right to think through my options before deciding...

What to say: Thank you for giving me this information. I have concerns about X. I'm going to take a moment to discuss this with my support team and get back to you.

"You can say, 'I need a minute to talk to my partner or doula,' or, 'I need a minute — can you step out of the room so I can think about things?'" she says. Don't be afraid to ask for space — give yourself a chance to consider the choices at hand.

7. I have the right to choose and change my maternity care team...

What to say: I have concerns about your [C-section rate, lactation support resources, room-in policy]. I envisioned [alternative outcome]. Can we discuss this to make sure we're a good fit?

8. I have the right to a positive birth experience...

What to say: I'm not interested in hearing any more negative birth stories. But I am willing to discuss X with you.

9. I have the right to informed consent...

What to say: Can you tell me more about that? What are the pros and cons? What are my other options?

10. I have a right to change my mind at any time...

What to say: I know we discussed this, but with the information you provided, I've actually decided I would prefer that. What do we need to shift to make this possible?