Making Informed decisions through your pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum Journey.

When you become pregnant there are so many thoughts and emotions that you and your partner experience, whether it is your first pregnancy or not. There are so many things to think about and decide on, and it can be stressful. Then you have friends and family trying to be helpful by sharing their thoughts, ideas, and stories. As helpful as they are trying to be, what was right for them, may not be right for you and your family. Making decisions for yourself and your family isn’t easy, especially if you don’t have the correct tools and information to help you along the way. Not having the correct tools and information can lead to you just agreeing with whatever is suggested and not thoroughly thinking it through. I would like to share a tool with you that I share with my clients when they start working with me. The B.R.A.I.N. acronym. Using this to move through your thought process not only helps you make informed decisions but also helps you remember what to ask when faced with a decision. Let’s break it down:

Benefits- What are the benefits of the test, protocol, medication, procedure, pain management approach, etc. that is being offered? How will it help? What is the success rate? 

Risks- What are the risks involved with this test, protocol, procedure, pain management approach, etc? What are the side effects? If it is not successful, what are the next steps? What other issues can arise from our decision?

Alternatives- What are the alternatives? What are the benefits and risks of the alternatives? When you are offered more than one option and can make your own decision based on the information given, it is empowering. You will feel less pressure, will make an informed decision, and you will feel good about it.

Intuition- What does your gut tell you? Really listen to what your intuition is telling you. Does it feel right? If not, why doesn’t it feel right? Are you making a decision based on what is best for you and your family, or are you feeling pressured and have based it on what others have said?

Nothing- What if you do nothing? What are the benefits and risks of doing nothing? What if you wait an hour, a day, or a week and see what happens?

When you feel pressured into making a decision without feeling informed, it is scary and stressful. When faced with a decision, unless it is in an emergency situation, you usually have time to decide. You don’t have to give an immediate answer. Ask for more time to think about it, even if it is just five minutes alone with your partner, friend, or doula. During this time you can use your B.R.A.I.N. to help you make a decision.