Speak Up, Mom! 4 Tips to Advocate for Your Needs During Pregnancy

When it comes to your body and your baby, your voice should be part of the conversation. Asking questions, sharing concerns, and understanding your options can help you make decisions that reflect your needs, preferences, and goals.

But with so much conflicting information – and misinformation – available online these days, it can be overwhelming to even know where to start. Having the right people in your corner can put your mind at ease and help you feel empowered to find your voice. 

The team at Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition (OHSC) is here to help: We provide educational resources, help you strengthen your care team by introducing you to trained doulas and midwives, connect you to community-based support programs, and so much more, at no cost to you. 

Don't be afraid to speak up, mom! Here are four tips to help you feel empowered to advocate for yourself throughout pregnancy:

1. Ask questions. There are no "small" or “wrong” questions when it comes to your health or your baby's well-being. Understanding your options helps you make informed decisions with confidence. 

2. Share your goals and concerns. Be open with your healthcare providers about your experiences, preferences, and any changes you notice. Your voice is an important part of your care.

3. Build a strong support team. Pregnancy was never meant to be navigated alone. Leaning on trusted professionals, family, and community resources can make the journey more enjoyable and less overwhelming. Depending on your needs, you may also want to learn more about doulas, midwives, and other supports that can be part of your care team.

• Doulas provide continuous emotional, physical, and educational support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. They help families prepare for childbirth, understand their options, communicate with providers, and adjust to life with a new baby.

  
  

• Midwives provide essential medical services to pregnant patients that extend through delivery and the postpartum period. 

  
  

• OHSC can connect you with both. Contact us today to learn more about our labor and postpartum doula program and to schedule an appointment with the MOM Mobile, a fully equipped mobile prenatal health service staffed by a midwife.

  
  

4. Learn about your pregnancy and your newborn’s needs. Reliable education helps

you recognize what's normal, prepare for birth, and care for yourself and your growing baby. 

• Did you know OHSC makes home visits? Our Home Visitation Program is designed to meet you where you are with personalized support and education on pregnancy and child development, so you feel empowered to give your family a healthy and happy start. Learn more by visiting our website. 

  
  

We want to hear from you! Join OHSC’s “Speak Up, Mom!” campaign on social media and share what advocating for yourself means to you. Tell us about a memory of a time you spoke up for your or your baby’s needs, a program or educational resource that helped you feel empowered to make the right decision for your family, or why you think it’s important to find your voice as you navigate pregnancy. 

Visit us on Facebook and Instagram now through September 11 to join the campaign – you’ll be entered to win a gift card. Reshare a “Speak Up, Mom” post, leave a comment with your personal experience, and tag two friends to be entered to win. 

Want to learn more? Join Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition and Jessica Lea, marriage and family therapist at Waves of Change, for Dinner With a Doula on September 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Okeechobee Civic Center to learn about mental health support and other important resources available to families in Okeechobee, meet with our doula team, and gain tools that will empower you to advocate for yourself during pregnancy and delivery.  

This special event is part of our Doula Lunch & Learn Series, supported by the Healthy Start Doula Program and Florida Blue Foundation. Register online now: https://forms.gle/18s519W1jy9mUw2w8