How to Advocate for Yourself: A Guide for an Empowered Birth

Advocating for yourself in the birthing room doesn’t mean disregarding medical advice; it means having the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions, express your desires, and ensure that your birth plan is respected.

In this blog post, I’ll explore practical tips on how to advocate for yourself during labour and birth, empowering you to feel heard, respected, and in control during this life-changing event in your life!

Why Self-Advocacy in the Birthing Room is Important

Self-advocacy in the birthing room is essential for a few key reasons:

1. It’s Your Birth Experience: The experience of childbirth is deeply personal, and it’s important that your needs and desires are respected. Whether it’s your birth plan, pain management choices, or preferences for skin-to-skin contact, it’s your right to voice your choices.
2. You Know Your Body Best: No one knows your body like you do. Advocating for yourself means honoring the signals your body is sending and ensuring that your medical team is working with you to create the best possible birth experience.
3. Informed Consent: Advocating for yourself also ensures that you’re fully informed about the procedures and interventions your care team is suggesting. You have the right to ask questions and make decisions that will impact your birth.
4. Builds Confidence: Standing up for your needs during labour can increase your sense of control and satisfaction with your birth experience, even if things don’t go exactly as planned.

How to Effectively Advocate for Yourself During Labour

1. Create a Birth Plan and Communicate It Clearly

One of the first steps to advocating for yourself in the birthing room is creating a clear, comprehensive birth plan. This plan outlines your preferences for labour, delivery, and postpartum care. It helps your medical team understand what you hope for during labour, such as your choices for pain management, birthing positions, and how you want to handle interventions like episiotomies, fetal monitoring, and C-sections.

• Discuss your birth plan with your care provider in advance: Share your birth plan with your doctor, midwife, or doula well before your due date. This allows for a discussion of your preferences and the opportunity to understand what your team’s policies are.
• Be flexible: While a birth plan can serve as a guideline, be prepared to be flexible if medical necessity dictates changes. Remember that advocacy doesn’t mean being rigid—it’s about being informed and ensuring that your voice is heard.

More from Babytalk on creating the perfect birth plan!

2. Know Your Rights and Be Confident in Them

Understanding your rights while giving birth is critical. It’s easy to assume that the hospital or birthing center’s practices are non-negotiable, but there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to labour and birth.  You have the right to:

• Ask questions about the risks and benefits of certain procedures.
• Refuse any procedures or interventions that you are not comfortable with once you’ve been informed of the benefits and risks.
• Have someone with you for emotional and physical support (partner, doula, family member).
• Request different positions during labour and delivery.
• Opt for certain pain management techniques or refuse medication altogether.
• Request clear communication about any medical decisions being made for you or your baby.

Knowing your rights and being prepared to ask for what you want can help ensure that your birth experience aligns with your wishes.

3. Hire a Doula or Advocate for Support

Having an advocate in your corner can make a huge difference when navigating the birthing room. A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during labour, can help you express your needs, communicate with your medical team, and keep you calm.

A doula can:

• Help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
• Provide comfort measures such as massage, positioning, and breathing techniques.
• Offer emotional reassurance and encouragement throughout labour.
• Ensure that your birth plan is communicated to the medical team.
• Speak up on your behalf if you’re too exhausted or in pain to advocate for yourself.

If hiring a doula isn’t in your plan, consider appointing a supportive person—such as your partner or a trusted friend or family member—who understands your birth preferences and can help advocate for you when needed.

Read more about how to hire the perfect doula for you!

4. Ask Questions and Stay Informed

Labour can be a time of heightened emotions and physical intensity. During this time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by medical staff and feel pressured to make quick decisions. However, it’s important to ask questions and make sure you fully understand what’s going on. Don’t be afraid to take your time and seek clarification if anything feels unclear.

Some helpful questions to ask include:

• What are the benefits and risks of this intervention?
• Why do you recommend this procedure?
• Are there any alternatives to this approach?
• How will this affect my birth plan?
• What are the potential outcomes for me and my baby?

By asking these questions, you can better understand your options and make more informed choices. Never hesitate to ask for time to think about a decision or consult with your support team before agreeing to a medical procedure.

5. Use Your Voice During Labour

In the birthing room, your voice is your greatest tool. If you’re not comfortable with something, say it! If something isn’t going the way you expected or if you feel uncomfortable with a procedure or suggestion, don’t be afraid to speak up.

Here are some ways to use your voice effectively:

• Advocate for your comfort: If a certain position is causing pain or discomfort, request a change. You have the right to be comfortable during labour.
• Express your pain levels: Let your medical team know if you’re feeling overwhelmed or in pain, and ask about pain management options.
• Request privacy: If you want to have a moment with your partner or if you need a break, ask for privacy or a pause in interventions.

It can feel intimidating to speak up in such an intense environment, but it’s important to remember that your birth experience matters. You have the right to feel heard and to make decisions that feel right for you.

6. Be Prepared for Unexpected Changes

While it’s important to have a birth plan and advocate for your preferences, childbirth is unpredictable. Sometimes, medical interventions may be necessary to ensure the safety of you or your baby. It’s important to stay flexible and advocate for the best possible outcome even if things don’t go according to plan.

For example:

• If you need a C-section: If a cesarean section becomes necessary, you still have options. Advocate for being awake during the procedure (if possible) and for skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth.
• If you need medications: If pain management or an epidural is required, advocate for options that will provide the most comfort without compromising your preferences.

By staying informed, asking questions, and communicating clearly, you can still play an active role in these decisions.

Need to feel prepared for your c-section? Check out this blog post right here on Babytalk!

You’ve got this!

Self-advocacy during childbirth is about being an active participant in your birth experience.

It’s about having the courage to ask questions, voice your preferences, and make informed decisions. When you’re working with a medical team, a doula, or a support partner, advocating for yourself helps ensure that your voice is heard and your needs are respected. While not every birth goes as planned, having a clear understanding of your rights, needs, and options will help you navigate any challenges that arise with confidence and empowerment.

Remember, childbirth is your experience, and you deserve to feel respected, supported, and in control throughout the process. By taking the time to educate yourself (by reading the Babytalk blog), communicate clearly, and advocate for your choices, you can have a positive and empowering birth experience—no matter what path your birth journey takes.