Why Having an Advocate During Labor and Delivery Can Save Lives

Labor and delivery are sacred, vulnerable, and deeply personal experiences. But for too many birthing people—especially Black, Brown, and underserved mothers—those moments also come with fear, confusion, and the risk of being unheard. In a system that doesn't always prioritize respectful, person-centered care, having an advocate during labor and delivery isn't just helpful—it can be life-saving.

What Is a Birth Advocate?

A birth advocate is someone—partner, doula, friend, or family member—who speaks up for your needs, helps you navigate your care, and ensures your voice is heard when it matters most. They're there to protect your wishes, support your safety, and help you feel emotionally secure when you're at your most vulnerable.

Why Advocacy Matters in the Delivery Room

Too often, complications are missed, pain is dismissed, or concerns are overlooked—especially for Black women, who are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women in the United States. Advocacy helps close this gap by:

• Amplifying your voice when you're not in a position to speak clearly or confidently
• Clarifying your birth plan to nurses and providers so decisions aren't made without your consent
• Identifying red flags and ensuring timely care if complications arise
• Reducing emotional distress by offering comfort, translation, or reassurance in high-stress moments

You deserve not only to survive childbirth but to feel seen, supported, and safe throughout it.

What an Advocate Can Do

A good advocate may:

• Ask questions on your behalf ("Can you explain what this means?")
• Confirm that you’ve given informed consent before any procedure
• Remind staff of your preferences ("She’d like to avoid unnecessary interventions.")
• Flag changes in your condition that may need attention
• Create space for your emotions—without judgment

This role isn’t just about advocacy—it’s about care, presence, and protection.

Who Can Be Your Advocate?

You don’t need a medical degree to be an advocate. You need someone who will:

• Listen to you
• Stand up for you
• Respect your wishes
• Remain calm and steady under pressure

This could be your partner, a close friend, your mom, or a certified doula, who brings both emotional and logistical expertise to the birth space.

Advocacy Is a Right, Not a Privilege

Too often, birthing people—especially those in marginalized communities—are taught to "trust the system" and not question authority. But the truth is, you are the expert of your body, your pain, and your experience.

Advocacy helps shift the power back into your hands, ensuring your care is built with you, not just done to you.

What If You Didn’t Have an Advocate?

If you’ve already gone through birth without an advocate—and were left feeling dismissed, unheard, or harmed—you’re not alone. Many of us have been there.

It’s never too late to name what happened, seek emotional support, or plan differently for the future. Your experience matters. And your story deserves space.

At Sagera Health, We Believe in Voice and Choice

Whether you’re grieving a loss, planning your next birth, or navigating postpartum recovery, you deserve support systems that see you and stand by you.

Our platform offers tools to:

• Prepare birth plans
• Track your emotional well-being
• Connect with culturally competent providers
• And give partners and loved ones tips on how to advocate for you

Because advocacy shouldn’t be optional. It should be part of the standard of care.

Final Thought

In every delivery room, there should be compassion. There should be consent. And most of all—there should be someone who’s willing to say, “I hear you. I’ve got you. Let’s speak up together.”

Your life may depend on it.

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