The Institute of Medicine describes patient-centered care as an approach that respects and responds to individual patient preferences, needs, and values, ensuring that these values guide all clinical decisions. Even when a provider’s experience or existing evidence supports a particular treatment plan, it’s essential to recognize that you may have different goals or feelings about your care. This disconnect between what a healthcare provider deems best and what a patient desires is especially common in labor and delivery scenarios.
Healthcare providers often struggle to remain objective and sensitive to individual needs, as years of practice can lead them to favor certain interventions based on established literature. Topics such as elective labor induction, cesarean sections, labor augmentation, epidurals, and breastfeeding are frequently debated, leaving many women feeling as though their personal preferences are overlooked or they are treated merely as statistics.
While most women I assist ultimately choose an epidural during labor, I have also witnessed many successfully employ hypnobirthing and other natural methods for pain relief. Although breastfeeding is widely recognized for its health benefits and is often promoted as the preferred method, some women may find it isn’t the right fit for them. It’s critical that we respect their choices and support them in finding alternatives that suit both mother and baby.
Every woman should trust her body and feel empowered regarding her care plan. If you feel that your needs conflict with the proposed approach, it’s important to voice your concerns. You are your own best advocate and have a deeper understanding of your body and values than anyone else.
In matters of health, trusting yourself can sometimes be a matter of life and death. I recently encountered a woman who graciously shared her birth experience with me. After giving birth, she felt unwell at the time of discharge. She expressed her concerns to the nurse, who checked her vitals. Although her borderline blood pressure didn’t technically qualify as high, she felt it was significantly higher than her usual readings of 90s/60s. Unfortunately, her care team dismissed her worries, attributing her symptoms to exhaustion and anxiety.
Despite her instincts telling her otherwise, she followed the discharge instructions and went home—only to return shortly after with dangerously elevated blood pressure readings of 190s/110s. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and required multiple medications and anti-seizure therapy to prevent a stroke or seizure.
You may wonder about her background: Is she a minority? Does she come from a low socioeconomic status? Is she underinsured? In fact, she is a young white woman with good insurance who delivered at a prestigious academic institution in Manhattan. She is also a healthcare professional herself, well-versed in postpartum complications.
Fortunately, as a healthcare worker, she had the knowledge and resources to monitor her blood pressure at home and called for help when her readings were alarmingly high. Had she lacked that medical background, she might have been discouraged from voicing her concerns, possibly leading to fatal consequences. Sadly, many women face such dire outcomes.
Here’s my advice when something feels off: Trust your body. Even if healthcare providers, friends, or family members downplay your symptoms, listen to your intuition. If you’re uncomfortable with the care plan, heed that inner voice.
Empower yourself to speak up. No one knows you better than you know yourself. Seek out individuals who will genuinely listen to your concerns, and enlist trusted friends or family to advocate on your behalf.
If you still feel unheard or struggle to communicate your needs, don’t hesitate to seek help. Persist until you feel validated and confident in your care. You deserve to feel comfortable and assured in your care plan and the healthcare team supporting you. If not, consider getting a second opinion!
Many women have been socialized to be accommodating and selfless, often putting their own needs last—especially during pregnancy and motherhood. However, remember that caring for yourself is also caring for your baby and family. When you are healthy—physically, mentally, and emotionally—you can thrive, and so can your baby.
I recall a tragic incident during my training when a mother died from an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare complication with a 50% mortality rate. Informing her partner of her passing and sending that baby home without ever knowing his mother is a haunting memory. It’s heartbreaking when complications arise that could have been prevented if we had only listened to the signs—or worse, when the patient foresaw the issues before we did, yet we didn’t heed their warnings.
Always listen to your instincts, advocate for yourself, and be relentless if anyone dismisses or shames you. Remember, you are the true expert about your own body!
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Summary
In healthcare, especially during pregnancy and postpartum, it’s crucial for women to trust their bodies and advocate for themselves. Despite potential dismissals from healthcare providers, patients should listen to their instincts and communicate their concerns. Self-advocacy is essential, as it can significantly impact health outcomes. Always prioritize your well-being for the sake of both yourself and your child.
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