How to Be a Birth Advocate

A birth advocate can be someone close to an expectant mother or a paid professional like a doula. The primary role of the birth advocate is to support the mother during the birthing process and advocate for her needs and wishes. This enables the birthing mother to focus her energies on the delivery. It is critical to be knowledgeable about the mother’s wishes and assertive enough to advocate for them. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Ask mom about her preferences when it comes to pain medication. Some mothers absolutely want it, some absolutely don’t and some would like to keep their options open. Chat with her about her desires and expectations.
2. Talk to the mom about pain management. Childbirth can be an excruciating experience. Find out how mom would like to deal with pain in lieu of or until pain medication is delivered.
3. Find out how mom feels about other medical interventions. Does she want whatever it takes to make the process move faster? Would she rather try a more natural, less intensive approach first?
4. Discuss the birth atmosphere. Who does the mother want present? Is the birth going to be an intimate with very few permitted in the room or a huge event with grandparents and siblings standing around with cameras ready?
5. Help mom create a birth plan. The purpose of the birth plan is to outline the mother’s ideal birthing situation and account for some predictable problems or issues. It should cover the mother’s desires for pain medication, IV fluids, interventions, the people welcome in the delivery room, infant nutrition (breastfeeding, formula or both) and the use of pacifiers.
6. Go to the hospital or birthing center with mom. Keep a copy of the birth plan handy at all times and be prepared to reference it when needed. Keep mom comfortable and encourage her during the labor and delivery process.
7. Stay with mom for a few hours after the baby is born. Continue to be her advocate during the early postpartum hours. Do everything possible to make her comfortable, especially if she has opted to forgo pain medications after the birth.

Tips & Warnings

• Send mom a gift basket once she’s home. Fruit and flower baskets make a nice gift and are a practical way to help make sure mom is eating something healthy in the early days of baby’s life. Be sure to include a note thanking her for the opportunity to be part of her special day.
• Not all deliveries go smoothly. Do not agree to be a birth advocate without understanding that there may be complications.
• Be prepared to advocate for mom. That can mean anything from holding mom’s hand to asking the staff to block family members from entering the room.