This week I went in for a non-birth related surgery. However, throughout the process I was glad that I am a birth activist. For one thing, what I’ve learned about reading before making decisions has never been more relevant. I had treatment options, though there were certain things that my doctor suggested. I knew I had choices. I knew I had rights to refuse treatment. In the end, I chose to pursue the treatment my doctor suggested, surgery, but I did so knowing I was informed. On the day of my surgery, the nurse was shocked when I – get this – actually wanted to read the papers she wanted me to sign. I asked the anesthesiologist in-depth questions about his drugs. These are things I learned from birth experiences. My surgery went well and I’m on the road to recovery. I feel confident about my doctor, my surgery and my choices. If every pregnant woman and new mother felt this way when faced with a choice we would be achieving our goals as birth activists.
Love this! Good on you!
Can I cross-post this on e-patients.net? Great participatory medicine story – you’re a star!
Amazing!
“On the day of my surgery, the nurse was shocked when I – get this – actually wanted to read the papers she wanted me to sign.”
I’m sure half the hospital staff does not even know what they are giving you!
This is so true – thanks for sharing. I passed this along to “e-Patient Dave” deBronkart who blogs on patient engagement at http://www.e-patients.net. I just wrote a guest post over there about how women can learn in pregnancy and birth how to be engaged patients in subsequent healthcare experiences. The confidence you had and choices you made were just what I was talking about. My hope is that more women will gain these skills and confidence through *good* maternity care experiences, rather that being burned by a system that is designed around the needs of doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies rather than women, infants and families. Thanks for sharing this.
Naomi- I bet you are right!
Amy – Great article. Thank you for sharing it with me.