Our Reproductive Justice Program team has put together this list of things to know during hospital labor and delivery.
1 Informed Decisions
As Indigenous, Native American, and Tribal peoples, our rich and diverse traditions connect us deeply to our roots. The sacred act of bringing a child into the world, especially in a hospital setting, can be disrupted if we do not express and honor our wishes.
Some medical professionals at times need support understanding that not all Indigenous peoples share the same practices. To avoid interventions that don’t align with our cultural beliefs it’s important to speak up about what practices are or are not appropriate according to our traditions.
Your voice matters, and honoring your cultural values during birth is essential to preserving the sacredness of the experience.
Tewa Women United is here to support you, and your relatives. Please feel free to reach out to our Reproductive Justice Team if you have any questions before going to the hospital or while you’re there. Our Repro-Justice Team can accompany you to medical appointments and provide information to help you make informed decisions that align with your beliefs, traditions, and prayers. Our team can also offer resources, including doula support, postpartum supplies, and mental/emotional support, if needed.
Contact us at (505) 747-3259 ext 1206, or email wendolyne@tewawomenunited.org or aspen@tewawomenunited.org
2 You and Your Relatives Are Welcome to Bring Sacred Traditional Items
Make sure one of your relatives or a doula is with you when you enter to the hospital and ask them to be prepared with these items as well as inform the hospital staff about any cultural practice or preference for childbirth. This can include prayer, requesting for birth doulas, cleansing or moving energy with a non lighted smudge.
3 Know Your Rights
You have the right to informed consent and refusal of medical procedures. Ask for explanations if something isn’t clear and feel free to request more time before making a decision.
4 Gestational Diabetes
Notify your medical support team that you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, even though they are staff sometimes they do not recall specific needs, be prepared with non-sugar snacks like: rice crackers with no added ingredients, legumes, and plenty of fluids.
5 Native American Insurance
Keep in mind that not all Indian Health Services offer prenatal care but can support families with enrolling in State Medicaid.
- Through Blue Cross Blue Shield New Mexico’s Turquoise Care, if pregnant you can receive a car seat, portable crib or diapers.
- Through Presbyterian Turquoise Care for Native Americans, a Pregnancy Passport is offered as a free rewards program for those that attend prenatal and post-partum visits.
- Native American Members will receive a $300 check to help pay for traditional healing services (once a year).
- Native American Members who qualify will receive a $250 check to help pay for traditional healing services (once a year).
6 Language Barriers
Medical jargon, slang, fast passed speech, or densly written information can all be present during prenatal visits and labor & delivery.
When information is being delivered, it is okay and necessary to ask for clarification or to have information provided in your language or in a way that is easy to follow.
Medical providers often have to be reminded that English is not the official language of the United States. Communicate any non visible disabilities you may have to your provider so they may be able to accommodate to your learning needs.
7 Consent
Birthing people should always have informed consent, whether they’re in or out of a hospital. Sometimes, medical providers do procedures that benefit themselves or the hospital.
It’s important to ask questions, explore alternatives, and request more time to decide.
BRAIN is an acronym that can help!
- Benefits: What are the short-, medium-, and long-term benefits of each option?
- Risks: What are the potential risks of each option?
- Alternatives: Are there any viable options given the situation?
- Intuition: What is your gut telling you to do?
- Nothing: What happens if you decide to do nothing or wait and see?