Mothers, please LISTEN to learn about your pregnancy and the complications that can arise, so you and your family are prepared to be your own first responders, advocate for yourself, and escalate concerns that are not being addressed.
Healthcare providers, please LISTEN to your patients and act. Research shows that patients report not being heard, and that failure contributes to devastating outcomes.
L — Learn
Know your body and the conditions that can affect you during pregnancy and after birth.
Preeclampsia, hemorrhage, blood clots, infection, heart problems, and mood disorders can all appear after you go home.
Learning the warning signs now means you will recognize them later.
I — Inquire
Ask questions until the answer makes sense to you.
If you do not understand, say so and ask again.
Write your questions down before your appointment so you do not forget them in the moment.
S — Speak up
If something feels wrong, say it out loud. You do not need proof, a diagnosis, or the right medical words to be taken seriously.
Trust what your body is telling you, and say it plainly: "Something is not right."
T — Track
Keep a record of your symptoms, blood pressure readings, bleeding, and how you are feeling emotionally.
Note the date and time.
A written record is harder to dismiss than a memory, and it helps your provider see patterns.
E — Escalate
If you are not being heard, go higher.
Ask for the charge nurse.
Ask to speak with the physician.
Ask for a second opinion.
Bring someone with you who will speak up on your behalf.
Being persistent is not being difficult. It is being safe.
N — Name your needs
Your recovery does not end at six weeks.
Say what you still need, whether that is help at home, mental health support, lactation help, or simply more time before returning to work.
Your needs are legitimate.
L — Listen
Listen to your patient and to whoever she brought with her, whether that is a partner, a family member, or a doula. She is the expert on her own body, and the people closest to her know when she is not herself. Give them your undivided attention.
I — Investigate
Build your assessment on what she actually told you, not on what you expected to find. Let her words direct your workup.
S — Suspect
Maintain a high index of suspicion. Postpartum complications present subtly and escalate quickly.
Ask yourself: how would I respond if this were my daughter or my mother describing these symptoms?
Are your front desk staff and nurses empowered to escalate a phone call?
Are they trained to recognize the phrases that should trigger alarm?
Do they know to avoid dismissive responses like "I know how you feel" or "we see this all the time"?
T — Treat
Treat according to recommended protocol. What does ACOG recommend for this presentation? Document your reasoning.
E — Evaluate
Did your treatment work?
If not, what is the next step?
What else is available, and who else should be brought in?
N — Navigate
Plan for what happens after she leaves.
Is she scheduled for follow-up, and with whom?
Will someone call her in the next few days to check on her?
Does she need case management for resources or barriers to care?
Should she go home with a blood pressure cuff and instructions for using it?
Does she know exactly when to come back or call 911?
Can you refer her to community organizations for support beyond six weeks?
