Advocating for yourself is daunting. However, it doesn't have to be.

Everyone is disappointed in the health care system, care givers and receivers alike. How can you make your care a better experience, whether you are at an appointment, the ER, admitted in hospital, 8cm dilated?

I'm a retired midwife. I've had to advocate for my clients, myself (for my own care) and my colleagues and their clients. Clients have had to advocate for themselves too with me. I've had every role in this aspect of care.

Here are stories of my clients, me getting my care (ER and scheduled appointment), family stories, etc.

What do care providers want to hear if you are declining a procedure? What can make the conversation easy for everyone? What is the role of the care provider in this context?

When it comes to your health, knowledge is power. Ignorance is not bliss.

Advocacy starts with you. You might change something the entire hospital is doing. You might change your care providers career, like my client did with me. And you'll never know the true ripple effects of what you are standing up for.

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