by Brianna | Jul 31, 2023 | Perimenopause, Self advocacy
Self advocacy in medicine cannot be overrated. Doctors are not infallible. Medicine is vast and many only know their limited lane. Many also don’t believe women. Although my focus right now is sharing about perimenopause I want to share this story about postnatal care (or lack there of) to highlight why standing up for yourself is important. Addy’s birth was medical. I had gestational diabetes and spent months of my pregnancy having to monitor my food and put insulin in my belly. I was also 42. The whole thing was medicated and orchestrated. When I went for my six week check up I didn’t feel right. My doctor was like you are fine. The uterus is shrinking. Another week. Another appointment. Another week. Another appointment. I read about retained placenta. I felt into my body. I felt like that is me. Another week. Another appointment. He told me it was in my head. He told me to go home. But lucky for me I am also a bitch and I refused to leave until I received an ultrasound. I knew I was right when I heard the tech gasp. And there it was: retained placenta. I had a DNC to remove it. I took fistfuls of antibiotics. If I hadn’t of done that. If I hadn’t of self advocated. If the Baltimore Brianna who did not take shit had not risen in me I would be dead. I would be one of those postnatal statistics that we are all talking about. If you aren’t with a doctor that believes women go to someone else. I fired that doctor. Truthfully...
