Be Your Own Best Advocate

You are your own best advocate. And I think now, more than ever, we need to have this confidence and sure-footedness as we navigate the healthcare system of today.

It has been a while since I have interacted with the straight up western medical world. I have always hated going to the doctor. I don't know what it is about it. The environment. The smell-boy do I hate the smell of hospitals. The feeling of the place....I don't know.

I also don't understand how the model breaks us down into our most simplests parts to treat us, but never puts the system back together again before diagnosing and treating. Just because my doctor specialized in cardiology doesn't mean I no longer have lungs, or a spleen, or whatever else may also be affected. So if specialization is the best way to go, why don't I have one of each specialization on my team of doctors? This lack of a team/whole body approach doesn't make much sense to me.

So I have distanced myself from that model over the years by educating myself in other ways to keep myself (my furbabies, and my Littles) healthy and away from those places. In my journey I've studied different healing modalities: homeopathics, naturopathics, herbs, essential oils, as well chiropractic, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and massage therapy. Most recently I've been learning about holistic nutrition. Learning what each is about, how they work, and which ones I want to get certified in. Along the way building a team of professionals that I can tap into if we run into something.

So when the words "high blood pressure" came up in the Midwife's office I wasn't too worried because I knew I'd work on finding the root cause and get it addressed.

It just so happens that according to Alaska State Law, if a pregnant woman's blood pressure goes above 140/90 she has to see a medical doctor. I wasn't stoked about this, but if it has to be "ok fine."

I went to my appointment with my usual apprehension, but was convinced that the doctor would listen to me about how stressed the month of April (Birthdays, Miscarriage anniversary, Finals, Presentations, Homework, Building a house, Being pregnant, Growing a business, Getting a certification, etc.) was and help me find solutions to lower my blood pressure. She'd be a resource for me and I could pick her brain for solutions.

I was shocked about what I found. And it left me wondering, "has western medicine deteriorated (become so money driven over prevention) this much since the last time I interacted with it? Or was it just this doctor....?"

The conversation that transpired didn't even pass my "common sense" test to say the least. (Which thanks to our Homeopathic doctors I know have in my tool box when listening to medical recommendations. Before I was much more inclined to just believe what they said because they have the medical degrees.) The entire conversation centered around "when" my blood pressure "will" reach dangerous levels, and I "will" have to get on meds. Why were these things guarantees?

And this doctor wouldn't even say things like "continue care at the birth center." No, it was phrased this way in a very scolding tone, "OUT of hospital birth." Now mind you, you can step out of the birth center here and hit the hospital with a stone they are that close. Transfers from the birth center to the hospital happen and plans are in place if that is needed for every birth. Also, so far my only issue has been this creeping higher blood pressure....something that both the doctor and midwife have said can and does sometimes happen towards the end of pregnancies.

Since it has been over 140 for the top number, she recommended "weekly blood pressure checks." But she didn't want to agree that the Birth Center (where I feel more comfortable) could do these.

Really? A simple blood pressure check? Seriously? No, she wanted me to come to the clinic, "just so they could see me." When asked what they would be looking for, and why the Birth Center staff wouldn't/couldn't be looking for the same things, I was ignored and the topic was moved on to the labs I needed.

When asked what I could do to lower it, all I was given was "lower your salt intake." When I told her we eat 90% plant-based diet with no added sodium. Her only response was, "don't eat canned food." Um...ok....we've had exactly one canned food item in the past year...(white beans)

The entire time she would only discuss all the horrible things that could happen "IF" my blood pressure went another 10-20mmHg higher, and according to her, this is exactly what my future looks like. (How does she know? What of my tests results makes her believe this? Where is the evidence? None of these questions were answered adequately or at all. But boy, I am sure glad I have educated myself to know enough to ask these. Otherwise my future may indeed look like what she is describing....)

Where was the fact that high blood pressure is a symptom talk? It isn't the diagnosis. It is a symptom. So what is the root? No answers were given. When I brought up stress, I was quickly dismissed.

Never addressed was the fact that my blood pressure dropped a full 10mmHg (both top and bottom) from the start of my appointment to the end of my appointment. When I pointed out this was because of my anxiety, I was completely ignored and told I needed to go to the lab to start all my tests right away.

My confusion only grew when she called with my lab results. "Everything looks healthy, so we need to order more tests." What?? When every single one of my labs came back better than healthy, why do I need these bigger tests and more tests? (money?) As if to be looking for something wrong, when there isn't. When asked, she just gave me all the horror stories all over again. When asked if I am actually at risk for these things right now, her answer was, "you will be." Again, where is the evidence? Other than the conversation alone stressed me out!

She again reminded me that "when" my blood pressure went higher and "when" I get on meds, that she "will" recommend a hospital birth over the birth center. Since Juneau's healthcare system is a little different that I'm used to seeing (only a hospital with no adjoining clinic), I asked her how I would go about this if needed. Her tone immediately changed, she became extremely helpful with solutions. Telling me that she is an attending physician there so she can deliver us, or any of her co-workers, and exactly how I can go about setting that up, and how she can help, and "no problem!" (again is money in the driver seat or health?)

I feel if I wasn't as educated as I am, I would have fallen into her hands like putty. Believing all of these horrible things that she said will happen to me, would in fact come true. After all, she is the one with the medical degree, so she must know more than me.

Now maybe these things will still happen, but wouldn't a more sound approach be-implement some strategies to prevent getting to those bridges (much of the time these are free or low cost options at this point) and if need be cross those bridges when we get there. Knowing we did everything in our power to stay healthy.

What are your thoughts? Is this driven by money? Is it the power of suggestion? Is this how doctors act, or was it just this doctor?