20/06/2024
"Am I allowed?"
You are the decision maker in your birth. However language used and conversations with HCP's often leave us feeling like we don't have a choice.
That we should be a "good patient" and do what we're told.
Often we do what we are told without fully understanding why and unaware of the potential impact on our birth experience as a whole.
Often we make a decision based on fear, rather than unbiased knowledge.
The statements above are often the reasons given for medical management of birth. Medical management increases dissatisfaction in the experience along with the increase in the cascade of interventions that typically follow.
We know that policies change all the time. We know that historically these statements would be no reason for intervention. But the longer these statements are not challenged, the less we will hear of women of have, for example: home birthed twins at 37 years old 🤩
And then, we won't know.
In a society where the rights of women are loud, and proud, why, when it comes to birth are we becoming passive? Why are we not advocating for ourselves, asking questions (question everything) demanding evidence to support information and the choices we can then make.
💪Because YOU ARE ALLOWED.
💪You are allowed to question.
💪You are allowed to say no.
💪You are allowed to say you need more time.
💪You are allowed to say yes.
💪You are allowed to decline care.
💪You are allowed to ask for second, third, more opinions.
This isn't about going against medical advice it is about ensuring that women are making informed decisions and have their best birth on the day, to come away feeling empowered and in control 💥
