Using Your B.R.A.I.N. During Labor

A. What does the acronym BRAIN mean?

During pregnancy/labor and birth we have ALOT of decisions that need to be made, a really great acronym, to use for these decisions, and really all decisions we have to make in life, is called B.R.A.I.N, stay with me to get the full picture here, so you can figure out the best course of action for your specific circumstances, and to make the right decisions that are RIGHT for you.

• B- benefits- what are the benefits for labor?, for the little one? and for your birthing person?.

  
  

• R- risks- What are the risks for labor?, your little one? and for the birthing person?.

  
  

• A- alternatives- Can we try something different instead?

  
  

• I - Intuition/Information/ Indications- What does your gut say? Keep in mind that labor is happening inside the birthing person’s body. Sometimes they know something is “off” before anyone else will; or they know things are moving much faster than is apparent. TRUST their instincts!

Do you need more information? If you still have questions, ASK THEM.

Indications: Is there anything in your particular situation that indicates you need this? This can help you discern the “protocol” interventions from those specific to your circumstances. For example, if the water breaks, the timeline for when your should head into the hospital will depend on whether contractions are happening (or not) or if the birthing person is GSB positive.

• N- Nothing/Next- What happens if you do nothing?

  If you go forward with the intervention, what happens next?

If it doesn't work, what happens next?

B. Give an example of how to use it

having a c section:

• B- what are the benefits to my little one? to me?

• R-what are the risks to my little one? to me?

• A-are there alternatives to a C-section? what are they? how will that choice affect my little one? me?

• I- what does your gut sat about having a C-section? is it a good choice? bad choice? listen to your gut.

• N- what happens if you don't have a C-section? what happens if you do have it? if it doesn't help, what next?

C. How a doula can help you navigate BRAIN during labor

Doulas offer emotional support in helping you to stay calm, focused and confident in your decisions. Assisting with B.R.A.I.N: doula's are skilled at guiding you through the process, asking the right questions, and facilitating discussions with your health care provider to ensure informed decision- making.

A doula can also advocate for you, educate you, help you with your birth plan, process emotions, and communicate your history of trauma.

D. Making the decision that feels best to you

To summarize, this is your day and using B.R.A.I.N will help you consider your emotions, recognize and celebrate your decisions, follow your heart, examine the opposite of your decision, know your values, talk out the pro's and con's, list your objectives, for all the choices you will need to make, using this will always help you to focus on what is right for you.