Marginalized Identities
J's Story - Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Québec
“A couple of days after my Son's birth there came a social worker into my room knowing I had a disability, was single and a young mum already, coming across as nice and soft spoken she did NOT identify herself as looking to start an adoption process she asked to hold my Son (for a minute) and then brought another woman into my room.”
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Submitted by Cielo Almendras
Cielo's Story - Markham Stouffville Hospital, Ontario
“At first, it was difficult to define what happened to me because I didn’t know how I was allowed to feel. I was supposed to trust that my healthcare providers knew best, but I don’t feel like I benefited from their decisions. I know, now, that what I experienced was rape. My right to body autonomy was violated. My right to consent to what happens to me was violated. Of course I’m grateful that I’m okay and my baby is healthy, but I’m still a person. Outside of a pregnant woman’s hospital room, the things that happened to me would qualify as assault.”
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Read MoreZ's Story - Maternity Care Midwives, Thunder Bay, Ontario
“This pregnancy I was very ill, and had many symptoms of ICP (Intraheptic cholestasis of pregnancy) but they refused to test me. At 39 weeks I was having contractions and was told to come back to consult the ob at the hospital. He took one look at my chart and said, “Induce her, she has ICP, we need to get this baby now.”
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Read MoreA's Story - Ottawa Valley Family Health Team, Almonte, Ontario
“I told my doctor I am pregnant. I am young and just went through an abortion a year and half ago. I told her I wanted to keep it this time and she looked at me like I was crazy. Instead of supporting my decision, she immediately began feeding me reasons NOT to have my baby. “
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The Obstetric Justice Project