6 ways to advocate for yourself during pregnancy.

I’ve been pregnant for 118 weeks. 

Not all in one go. 

Thankfully.

Although some nights in the third trimesters it did feel that way.

I’ve been lucky enough to have three children, via three healthy, to-term pregnancies. Which means, in the last five years, I’ve carried children inside my body for:

826 days. That’s 19,824 hours. Or, almost 2 and a half years.

TWO AND A HALF YEARS?? Side note: Where is my medal? 

I’m a manager at Mamamia when I’m not busy keeping tiny humans alive, and I hire a lot of people, so my first thought on seeing that number was “ohhh that’s a decent chunk of work experience”. 

And it is. 

In our industry, 2.5 years is about the length most people stay in a role. It’s generally seen as enough time to learn new skills and master your job.

Mastery is going to look different for everyone, but for me the definition is my third pregnancy. Like any meaningful job, it wasn’t drama-free, but I was so much better skilled and confident to advocate for myself and my baby in every situation, which made for a better experience.

If terms like ‘self-advocacy’ feel a bit cringe, or have you picturing an “I’d like to speak to the manager” character, fear not. Here are six practical ways to advocate for yourself during pregnancy. 

Prepare a list of written questions

I loved my midwife appointments, I’d stay up late into the night before thinking about everything I wanted to ask about the baby, my body, new symptoms. And then I’d arrive at the appointment and… blank. 

Personally, I don’t love the term ‘baby brain’, but pregnancy is the ultimate multitasking moment, so it’s understandable that we might forget a few things. I’d often remember exactly what I wanted to ask just as I arrived home from an appointment. 

My solution is to treat appointments like work meetings: write down all the points you want to cover and the questions you want to ask. If you’re a stationery nerd like me, consider this your permission to go buy a brand spanking new notebook to write everything down in. 

And if you’re considering getting pregnant soon, make sure you book a preconception care appointment with your GP. They’ll run through a whole range of lifestyle and genetic factors to set you up for a smooth, informed pregnancy.

Bring a support person to your appointments

Sometimes advocating for yourself means asking someone else to step in. It can be nerve-wracking to go to appointments alone, especially when it's your first pregnancy. Consider bringing your partner, a trusted friend or family member along to provide emotional support and be an extra pair of ears to listen to what your healthcare provider is saying.

Educate yourself about nutrition

Nutrition is essential during pregnancy, and the first 1000 days of a baby's life (from conception to a child’s second birthday) are crucial for their development. Evidence suggests that the protective effects of good nutrition during the first 1000 days (as they develop from 1 cell to 500 trillion cells!!) can help maintain health later in life.

Do your research and educate yourself on what foods to eat and which ones to avoid. Consider taking a prenatal multivitamin, like the Elevit Pre-conception & Pregnancy Multivitamin, which is scientifically formulated to support the increased nutritional requirements of women who are planning pregnancy or who are already pregnant. 

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recommends folic acid supplementation in the prenatal stage to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Elevit contains 19 essential micronutrients, and meets the daily recommended intakes (RDI) for folic acid, iron and iodine to support the mother and the healthy growth and development of their baby. 

Elevit Pre-conception & Pregnancy multivitamin contains 800mcg of folic acid which is two times faster in reaching protective folate levels (compared to supplements containing 400mcg), but it’s still recommended that you start taking your multivitamin at least one month prior to planned conception because it takes time to build the protective levels of the nutrients required for pregnancy. 

Ask for a second opinion 

If you're unsure about a diagnosis or treatment plan, don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. And don’t assume it has to be something 'big' to make it worthy of you seeking another healthcare provider’s opinion. Whether it's about diet or nutrition plans, or choosing between the public and private system to have your baby, there are no silly questions. Ask. And trust your gut if you want a second opinion.   

Make your birth preferences known, but feel free to change them

Giving birth is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Every parent is different, and so is every birth. In my experience, midwives and doctors are happy for you to be vocal about your preferences and desires, they just want to know you’ve been educated about all the options first so you can make an informed choice before and during labour if things change. The best way to do this is to attend a parenting or birth class at your hospital. They’ll walk through all the options for birth, interventions and pain relief. 

Make sure you plan your version of a birth plan and discuss it with your healthcare provider. No need for a laminated six page manual, I just had mine in the notes section of my phone. This was perfect as I could quickly send it to my midwife when we arrived at the hospital at 3am. I was specific about the things that were important to me: gas for pain relief, being in the bath and low lighting, and left it to her to figure out what could work in my scenario, and when to make them happen. 

Image: Supplied.

Reset your social expectations

Advocacy isn’t limited to medical settings, it includes our relationships too. During my first pregnancy I felt like I had to say yes to everything “before baby arrived”. Cut to me attending an outdoor wedding on 42 degree day in my third trimester, and promptly passing out. 

Pregnant women are capable of incredible physical achievements, see: Rihanna Super Bowl 2023 or Serena Williams winning her 23rd Major in 2017 (without losing a set) – while pregnant. 

BUT pregnancy is a physical challenge in itself. Your body will tell you when you need to chill, so listen and then speak up. You have the ultimate valid excuse, and everyone will understand. Say no to that hen's party on a boat if you’re not feeling it, insist on the 6.30pm dinner sitting rather than the 8.30pm, and for goodness sake, just send a gift for that outdoor summer wedding. 

How did you advocate for yourself during pregnancy? How did it go? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

Elevit is Australia's most trusted, No.1 pregnancy multivitamin. Find Elevit's Pre-conception & Pregnancy Multivitamin at your local or online pharmacy. 

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If you have a baby with a neural tube defect/spina bifida, seek specific medical advice.

No.1 most trusted pregnancy multivitamin based on Kantar Australia brand research, Sept 2021. No.1 pregnancy vitamin based on IQVIA $ MAT 19.11.22.

Elevit contains 800mcg of folic acid which is 2x faster in reaching protective folate levels (compared to supplements containing 400mcg) based on Bramswig S et al. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 79(2), 2009, 61-70. Sponsored by Roche Consumer Health Ltd.

Feature Image: Supplied.