Hospitals are putting policies in place that transgress the rights of labouring/postpartum women.
Join me in this week's episode for an exploration of why it is very important that you know your rights and how to stand up for them.
I’m talking about a current example, and how you can prepare yourself to give birth during a pandemic. It’s stressful, but my goal is to make it as easy for you as possible.
SHOW NOTES:
Patient centered care is the main cornerstone of the Canadian healthcare system
Taking a close look at a new policy in a Belleville Hospital and asking, is this patient centered care?
The policy in question is the admittance of care partners for labouring/postpartum women between the hours of 6 AM and 10 PM
Previously, the hours were between 8 AM and 8 PM, so it looks like this is an improvement
The reality is that that regardless of the current COVID-19 situation, labouring/postpartum women should have access to a care partner 24/7
Labour and delivery/postpartum is a very low risk area for COVID-19
Having the care partner come and go actually INCREASES the risk of spreading infection instead of allowing them to stay for 24 hours
The actual policy has not been publicly shared
This is not acceptable, this is not patient-centered care
Care partners reduce the risk of adverse birth/health outcomes, especially among POC and Indigenous populations
If you are giving birth at this hospital, you need to know your rights
As labouring/postpartum women at any hospital, you need to know your rights
You have a right to a care partner
Request a physical copy of the policy document
Verbally oppose the policy “This policy is placing me in indirect harm” “I require 24 hour access to a care partner”
Request to speak to the charge nurse and nurse manager
Request to speak to the hospital attorney
If the attorney is not available, tell them your care partner will remain until you can speak directly to leadership
Needless to say, labouring/postpartum women do NOT need this stress
I can connect you to a healthcare attorney who can really outline your rights and give you some peace of mind
https://thegoodbirthco.hbportal.co/schedule/6080797b135eb9002aa5cc8e (Book a call) to discover how we can work together to create a birth plan for these unprecedented times. https://thegoodbirthco.hbportal.co/schedule/6080797b135eb9002aa5cc8e (Connect with me here).
Further resources for issues mentioned in this episode:
Number of active COVID19 cases in Hastings and Prince Edward County as of date of publish is 79. This region has a recent rate per 100,000 of 96.1 (compared to a region like Peel that has a recent rate per 100,000 of 730.1)
This situation is always evolving and there may be a point when the risk within L&D in this area is higher.
Resource: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/data-and-analysis/infectious-disease/covid-19-data-surveillance/covid-19-data-tool?tab=maps (Ontario Public Health)
Learn more about pregnancy and caring for a newborn during the COVID19 pandemic at the Government of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/pregnancy-childbirth-newborn.html (website).
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