A confident pregnancy and birth plan can make all the difference. What to Expect creator Heidi Murkoff recently sat down with Dr. Wanda Barfield, M.D., M.P.H., the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Reproductive Health, to share some advice and support ahead of #BumpDay on July 19 and in partnership with the CDC's #HearHer campaign.

A day dedicated to raising awareness for equitable maternal health care, #BumpDay is all about getting moms the best care and spreading the word about urgent warning signs. The #HearHer campaign also provides resources and increases awareness of pregnancy-related complications and their symptoms. Both aim to combat the disparities in maternal health care that especially affect Black and Brown women.

Here's what Heidi and Dr. Barfield what moms to know:

What are your rights during pregnancy?

"It's really important for pregnant women to know what their rights are," Heidi says. The What to Expect Pregnancy Bill of Rights helps do just that by listing the 10 things all moms-to-be deserve.

"There is an opportunity for people to identify circumstances where they feel like they've been mistreated," Dr. Barfield says, "[and] raise the concerns to maybe a nurse manager within a clinical practice, a hospital or facility, and make sure that you're receiving the care that you deserve." 

During pregnancy, you have the right to: 

  1. Ask as many questions as you want
  2. Culturally competent maternity care
  3. Be respected 
  4. Feel your of emotions without guilt
  5. Challenge and report mistreatment 
  6. Think through your options before deciding
  7. Choose and change your maternity care team
  8. Have a positive birth experience
  9. Informed consent
  10. Change your mind at any time

What are some ways you can find a provider that you feel confident in?

"There are always so many unknowns and so many questions that you'll have [during pregnancy], but one thing you should never have to second guess or have wandering about in the back of your mind is, 'Do I have the right provider?'" Heidi says. "That's something you should feel confident about throughout your pregnancy, right from the start."

The right doctor or midwife will listen to you and address your questions and concerns to your satisfaction.

"Some people get recommendations from friends, from family, from coworkers, and others may look at reviews online," Dr. Barfield says. "We all have different ways in which we want to gather information, but the important thing is identifying that health care provider [who makes] you feel valued and respected."

That might mean having a health care provider who may look like you, have similar experiences or live in a similar area. 

What can you do when a provider dismisses a concerning symptom as normal?

If your "mom gut" is telling you something is wrong, it's really important to listen to your intuition, Heidi says. Speak to your doctor — and reassert your concern if you feel dismissed. 

"Try to reach out again or follow up with the health care provider team because it's just possible that for whatever reason it didn't resonate," Dr. Barfield advises. "After trying to reach out and not getting a response, it's important to seek other support." 

What are some of the most urgent maternal warning signs to be aware of?

"It's important to note that no matter what the sign is, if you feel like something is wrong, it's important to talk to a provider about it right away," Dr. Barfield says. "But there are some specific warning signs that we consider urgent for pregnant and postpartum women, so if you experience one of these it's important to go to the doctor right away, and if they can't see, you go to an emergency room."
These red flags include:

  • A severe headache that just won't go away
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Changes in your vision
  • Fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Trouble breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Overwhelming tiredness
  • Extreme swelling in your hands, face, leg or arm

It's important for dads and partners to know these signs too. "Research shows that when [dads and partners] are included in care, intentionally engaged by providers and invited into the process, they end up being the very best maternal health champions that there are," Heidi says. "Often they're the ones who report symptoms."

For more information about maternal warning signs, visit the Centers Disease Control and Prevention Hear Her campaign page, and join What to Expect on July 19 for #BumpDay to show your support for safe pregnancies for every mom, everywhere.