Using your B.R.A.I.N.S in labour

Making informed choices in Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

Published 21st Nov 2020, updated 21st Nov 2020

Brains is a handy acronym to help you understand your options, and make choices that are right for you.

It can be useful when assessing choices you may want to make during your self-directed pregnancy or freebirth.

It is important to me that you are able to make informed choices in labour and birth – by having knowledge in advance, but also having tools at hand to help you quickly assess any new situation that arises. 
I can guarantee something unexpected will happen in your labour, whether it's super minor, or incredibly inconvenient. Your doula is late, or your pool won't heat, or you have the need for an emergency caesarean birth.

If you are in the position of transfer, having an intervention suggested to you, or you are concerned about a symptom you're having, ask yourself these questions:

B – What are the BENEFITS of this course of action?

R – What are the RISKS?

A – Are there any ALTERNATIVES?

I – INTUITION: What does your gut say?

(Also can be What are the IMPLICATIONS of following this course of action? Will it make further INTERVENTIONS more likely?)

N – What if we do NOTHING and wait for an hour or 2 before doing anything?
S - Smile: This will be okay. Take a minute to discuss your feelings with someone you trust. (This last one is helpful in a medical situation to smile and say ‘Scuse me, I need SPACE to discuss this)

https://birthflowerdoula.com/blog/use-your-brain (has free printable BRAIN graphic)