Have a Positive Birth: Tip #6

Use your B.R.A.I.N

You not only have a right but a responsibility to understand what medical treatments are being performed on you during your pregnancy and birth, what the potential risks are, and what alternatives exist.

However, if you don't ask, you, unfortunately, may not be presented with this information.

Therefore, it is important to remember Lamaze's B.R.A.I.N. as the acronym for the questions to ask when you are presented with a medical option.

If your care provider suggests a certain test, treatment, or intervention during your pregnancy or birth you can use B.R.A.I.N. to get the information you need to make an informed decision:

What are the BENEFITS?

What are the RISKS?

What are the ALTERNATIVES?

What is my INTUITION telling me?

What would happen if we did NOTHING (or waited?)

If you ask these questions, you should be able to make an informed and confident decision on how to proceed.