Taking Action: The Complaint Process
If you want to make a change, I cannot stress how important it is to go through the complaint process if you are ready to do so. Without making your voice known, nothing can change.
Tips for the Complaint Process
* Do as much as you can in writing and keep a copy of all your dealings and responses for your own records.
* Use "I statements" and facts as much as possible. As angry and upset as you may be, try your best to keep the emotions to a minimum or totally out of the complaint at all. A level head will give you more credibility and in turn will be listened to far greater than if you go in irate.
* Use non-inflammatory language. For example, I personally feel I was "birth raped," however, use of that term will only be off-putting to officials when I speak to them about my experiences. So I usually use the term "violated" instead. It still gets the point across without the other party automatically shutting me out as soon as they hear or read "birth rape."
So to whom should you complain? Here's a list to get you started:
* Your doctor or the head doctor in your OBGYN practice – Be aware of your emotions. In some cases, this may create more triggers or negative emotions and might be best to wait for this step. Only you know if this course of action is right for you.
* The hospital or birthing center: People in the hospital you will want to contact include (but not limited to!) the patient advocate or rights department and the head of the maternity ward.
* Your insurance company.
* State (or local) Medical Licensing Board
* State (or local) Nursing Board
* State (or local) Midwifery Board, Group or Organization
* Other certifying organizations
* Talk to the police, malpractice or civil rights lawyers if you feel you have legal grounds to pursue your situation further. Hopefully, we will have more backing in this department in near future.
* Joint Commission: This group certifies many hospitals across the nation and "can use the information you provide to identify possible noncompliance with our accreditation or certification standards. "
* ACLU - American Civil Liberties Union: Can't find the help you need? Try contacting your local ACLU office. They may be able to help you fight your birth trauma situation in a civil liberties case.
Many of these links for the complaint process are US centered. I am hoping to add more international links & suggestions soon! Know of some? Let me know!
Need more help? Check out our Healing, Finding Help & Resources pages!
Tips for the Complaint Process
* Do as much as you can in writing and keep a copy of all your dealings and responses for your own records.
* Use "I statements" and facts as much as possible. As angry and upset as you may be, try your best to keep the emotions to a minimum or totally out of the complaint at all. A level head will give you more credibility and in turn will be listened to far greater than if you go in irate.
* Use non-inflammatory language. For example, I personally feel I was "birth raped," however, use of that term will only be off-putting to officials when I speak to them about my experiences. So I usually use the term "violated" instead. It still gets the point across without the other party automatically shutting me out as soon as they hear or read "birth rape."
So to whom should you complain? Here's a list to get you started:
* Your doctor or the head doctor in your OBGYN practice – Be aware of your emotions. In some cases, this may create more triggers or negative emotions and might be best to wait for this step. Only you know if this course of action is right for you.
* The hospital or birthing center: People in the hospital you will want to contact include (but not limited to!) the patient advocate or rights department and the head of the maternity ward.
* Your insurance company.
* State (or local) Medical Licensing Board
* State (or local) Nursing Board
* State (or local) Midwifery Board, Group or Organization
* Other certifying organizations
* Talk to the police, malpractice or civil rights lawyers if you feel you have legal grounds to pursue your situation further. Hopefully, we will have more backing in this department in near future.
* Joint Commission: This group certifies many hospitals across the nation and "can use the information you provide to identify possible noncompliance with our accreditation or certification standards. "
* ACLU - American Civil Liberties Union: Can't find the help you need? Try contacting your local ACLU office. They may be able to help you fight your birth trauma situation in a civil liberties case.
Many of these links for the complaint process are US centered. I am hoping to add more international links & suggestions soon! Know of some? Let me know!
Need more help? Check out our Healing, Finding Help & Resources pages!