Navigating Healthcare as Black Women: A Guide for Self-Advocacy and Support
As we celebrate Black Maternal Health Week, observed this year from April 11 to 17, it's crucial to shine a spotlight on the unique challenges faced by Black mothers. Sweet Bee Services is deeply committed to the mission of ending maternal mortality and addressing the disparities that plague Black maternal health. This week serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure equitable healthcare for all mothers.
Black women in the US are 3-4 times more likely to die in childbirth-related experiences, underscoring the dire need for advocacy and support. The healthcare system, with its inherent structural biases, often does not fully support Black women, making postpartum a particularly vulnerable time. At Sweet Bee Services, we believe that everyone, especially during pregnancy, deserves an advocate to guide them through the healthcare landscape, informing them of their rights and helping them understand the difference between hospital policies and what choices they have. We also believe that when we address the challenges of the most vulnerable populations navigating the healthcare system, it positively impacts us all.
“... When we address the challenges of the most vulnerable populations navigating the healthcare system, it positively impacts us all.”
To help you feel empowered this Black Maternal Health Week, we’re sharing some actionable tips and statements designed to help you advocate for your health and ensure you receive the care and information you deserve:
Tip #1: Prepare Questions Beforehand
When navigating healthcare settings, coming prepared can make a significant difference. Given the short time often allotted for appointments and the heavy mental load carried by healthcare providers, it is essential to approach each visit with a well-thought-out list of questions. At Sweet Bee, we advise bringing at least five critical questions related to your condition, anticipations, and history that may impact your visit. Utilize tools like smartphones to keep track of your questions, and consider using healthcare platforms like MyChart to communicate directly with your providers before and after visits.
Tip #2: Assert Your Role as an Active Participant
Remember, you hire your healthcare providers; they don’t hire you. You have the power to choose your providers and assert your preferences in every interaction. Introduce yourself and your support team, be it a partner, loved one, or doula, and set the tone that you are an integral part of the decision-making process. If a provider makes you feel uncomfortable or unheard, remember that it’s within your rights to seek care elsewhere. Our role at Sweet Bee is to remind you of your power and support you in utilizing it.
Tip #3: Know Your Rights
Informed consent is a fundamental right. It is crucial to insist that nothing is done without your express consent. At Sweet Bee, we encourage a trauma-informed approach to care, where consent is not just assumed but explicitly obtained. If you ever feel rushed or pressured, it's important to pause the process and ask for clarity or additional support from higher authorities like the charge nurse or attending physician.
Bonus Tip: Extend Grace to Yourself
Advocacy does not come naturally to everyone, and that's perfectly okay. It may take time to build up the courage and knowledge needed to advocate effectively for yourself or your loved ones. Remember, if you realize after an appointment that something was not communicated, it’s not too late. Hospitals often have feedback systems in place, and your comments can lead to substantial changes.
As we commemorate Black Maternal Health Week, let us reaffirm our commitment to advocacy and equity in maternal healthcare. By empowering Black women to assert their rights and fostering supportive environments within medical settings, we can strive towards a future where every mother receives dignified and comprehensive care. Together, let us amplify voices, dismantle barriers, and champion the health and well-being of all mothers.
