MY LIFE Matters - Health Literacy - 31

MAKING DIFFICULT DECISIONS A Proactive Approach
the one that I had. I am very happy with
the doctor that I chose, but it was a risk!
Throughout my pregnancy, I was diligent
about taking notes, researching,
and asking questions at my prenatal
appointments. I knew that as a Black
woman with a geriatric pregnancy, I
was statistically more likely to experience
complications and face barriers in
accessing quality care. I made sure to
advocate for myself to ensure that my
voice was heard.
My care team and I communicated
frequently and openly about the unique
challenges and concerns that came with
being a 37-year-old fresh off a DIEP
(deep inferior epigastric perforators)
surgery and prone to surgical infection.
From the very beginning of my prenatal
care, I made it clear to my healthcare
providers that I wanted to be fully informed
and involved in every decision
regarding my pregnancy. We discussed
my concerns about how my past with
cancer might impact my pregnancy. My
care team took the time to address my
questions and provide detailed information
about the potential risks and
complications that could arise. They
also outlined any additional tests and
monitoring that might be necessary to
ensure both my well-being and that of
my baby's throughout my pregnancy.
They provided me with regular updates
and encouraged me to reach out
if I had any concerns or needed further
clarification. This helped to alleviate
some of my anxiety, and I trusted my
new OB and her team as much as I
possibly could trust any doctor. I was
also referred to a high-risk pregnancy
specialist. This specialist worked closely
with my primary care team all while
keeping my oncologist in the loop, ensuring
that they were all on the same
page when it came to my care plan. This
collaborative approach allowed me to
feel confident that every aspect of my
pregnancy was being closely monitored
and managed.
As a proactive patient, I took it upon
myself to research and educate myself
on the unique challenges that my
situation presented. I asked my care
team targeted questions and sought
their guidance on how best to manage
my health during this time. Over the
course of my pregnancy, I had two iron
infusions, weekly non-stress tests in the
third trimester, and induced labor at 39
weeks to limit the exposure to excessive
hormones.
My care team also supported me in
creating a birth plan that took into
consideration my history with cancer
and my age. We discussed my preferences
for pain management, potential
interventions, and any additional precautions
that might be necessary during
labor and delivery. This open dialogue
allowed me to feel empowered and prepared
for the birth of my child.
Throughout my pregnancy, my care
team's consistent and compassionate
communication played a crucial role
in managing my unique circumstances.
Their expertise, combined with my
dedication to advocating for myself,
allowed me to navigate the challenges of
my pregnancy with confidence and ultimately
enjoy a healthy and successful
childbirth experience. I write a lot about
the inner monologue of a Black woman
navigating the American health system.
It is filled with determination, perseverance,
and an unwavering commitment
to advocating for herself and her loved
ones. It is a difficult and exhausting
journey, but one that we continue to embark
on for the sake of our health and
well-being. A strong patient-provider
relationship is built on trust, empathy,
and open communication. Effective
communication between patients and
providers is critical.
I hope that by sharing my story, I can
inspire other Black women and marginalized
individuals to advocate for themselves
in their healthcare journeys. The
journey through the American health
system may be fraught with challenges,
but we must continue to push for
the respect, empathy, and quality care
that we deserve. As patients, we have
the power to change the narrative and
make a difference in our own healthcare
experiences. By fostering strong
patient-provider relationships built on
trust, empathy, and open communication,
we can work together to break
down barriers and create a more equitable
healthcare system for all. l
MY LIFE MATTERS
HEALTH LITERACY ISSUE | SUMMER 2023
31
MY LIFE Matters - Health Literacy

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