{"id":111790,"date":"2020-09-14T08:46:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T12:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111790\/why-bringing-a-support-person-with-you-to-appointments-can-help-you-advocate-for-the-best-healthcare-parenting\/"},"modified":"2023-02-03T11:38:35","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T16:38:35","slug":"why-bringing-a-support-person-with-you-to-appointments-can-help-you-advocate-for-the-best-healthcare-parenting","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111790\/why-bringing-a-support-person-with-you-to-appointments-can-help-you-advocate-for-the-best-healthcare-parenting\/","title":{"rendered":"Why bringing a support person with you to appointments can help you advocate for the best healthcare"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you\u2019re sitting in an appointment with a healthcare provider, hopefully you\u2019re working with someone who listens to your concerns, hears your wishes, explains your care circumstances and options plainly, and treats you with care and respect. And, ideally, you\u2019re working with a provider who you feel comfortable speaking with honestly. But it\u2019s normal for it to feel challenging to speak with a provider in this way, for any number of reasons \u2014 you may feel hesitant to be seen as a bother, embarrassed to speak up, or frustrated or angry if you think you\u2019re being dismissed. All of this can be even more challenging if you\u2019re sick, and it can stand in the way of you advocating for the sort of care you want, need, and deserve. Bringing a support person with you when you\u2019re receiving care can help. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is self-advocacy as a patient important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve spent a lifetime in your body \u2014 you know what\u2019s normal for you, what\u2019s not, your health history, and your preferences for care. Your healthcare provider may be an expert in their field, but they can\u2019t know these details that are a hugely important part of the picture when it comes to your health. So it\u2019s crucial to take an active role in your care, instead of letting your medical care be something that happens <\/span>to<\/span><\/em> you. This means being honest about your unique wants and needs (and making sure that your provider hears you), confirming that you fully understand all of the information they\u2019re sharing with you (and if not, that you ask questions and get clarity), and that you fully agree with any plans for care. Transparent communication with your provider doesn\u2019t just provide you with an improved healthcare experience, it also helps to keep you safe.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can a support person help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s strength in numbers, and a support person, whether a partner, friend, or family member, can help by being present to back you up as you make your wishes known. They can be there for emotional support, to take notes, to help you ask questions, and to help ensure that your wants are heard and your needs are met \u2014 whatever you need to feel best supported. So it can be helpful to let your support person know in advance of the appointment what would be most useful for you. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who can serve as a support person?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who you trust and feel comfortable having with you at a healthcare provider\u2019s appointment can serve as your support person. This might mean your partner, mother, sister, cousin, friend, or another loved one. And if you\u2019re pregnant or postpartum and working with a doula, your doula can serve as a support person. You may even want to bring more than one support person along to your provider appointments if that\u2019s best for you! Anyone who has your back can be valuable to have along and can be a great source of support as you advocate for the care you want and deserve. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask for what you need, and get creative if you need to<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some healthcare facilities may limit how many people you can have physically present with you, so it\u2019s worth asking about their policies and if they can accommodate your wishes. It\u2019s also worth noting that in many places these sort of policies may have become stricter because of the coronavirus pandemic, and some facilities may not allow anyone to accompany you during prenatal and postpartum visits or may limit the number of people who can accompany you during labor. But there are still ways to get the support you need. For example, if you can\u2019t have both a partner and doula present with you for labor, you can use technology \u2014 a smartphone, video chat, or messaging apps \u2014 to connect and have your support system present virtually. Ask for what you need, and get creative if you need to. You deserve to have your support system present every step of the way.
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