Nothing is worse when you go to the doctor to explain something you have been dealing with, only to have your concerns blown off or dismissed. If we are coming to a doctor with a concern that we have, we want answers. As moms, we know ourselves and our babies and deserve to have our concerns validated, not dismissed. It is very sad that so many moms have to deal with this, and things need to change.

I have had a few of my own personal experiences with this. One of the worst being my postpartum OCD. I remember going to the gynecologist fully prepared to share everything I had been experiencing including my intrusive thoughts and fears. Once getting there, my concerns were completely blown off. I was sent home with a new prescription for Zoloft and told intrusive thoughts were normal. I had never felt so defeated. This was a time I knew something was wrong and wanted to be heard by a medical professional.

More recently, this happened during my second pregnancy. I have mostly had my OCD under control, but now I am dealing with physical concerns. I had been having dizzy spells since my second trimester. I also had these when I was pregnant with Caia. However, this time they were worse. I was driving Caia and Hugs to my parents’ house one day last week, when all of a sudden I felt like I was going to pass out. I had to pull over, and I am pretty sure I did pass out. Luckily, I was able to call my mom before to come get us. It was really scary, and Caia even held my hand.

After this dizzy spell, I called the labor and delivery department to express my concerns. I was told that passing out like that was normal. I remember being so angry and upset that that was the answer I received. I thought about it and called again the next day. This time, I was told to come in immediately to get checked out. I knew something was wrong. I had to get my glucose test early and some blood work. They are still looking for answers, but I already feel better knowing that someone believed me.

Like I said, as moms, we know ourselves and our babies. If there is something wrong, we need our concerns to be heard. It can be really frustrating for us to voice concerns just to have us be told that everything is normal. It takes a lot to get the courage to voice a concern sometimes, especially with mental health. No mom deserves to have their concerns dismissed. We have to keep advocating for ourselves and our kids, because sometimes no one else will.