informed choices

we’re not here to tell you what choice to make. we just want you to be making informed choices, and for that to occur, you need to know what options exist in the first place.

  • it’s not just a case of iherensurance or no insurance. read more about your choices of care provider here, and listen to our podcast episode breaking it all down.

  • from the time you wee on a stick (or get those blood results back) the onslaught of choices commences — think ultrasounds, genetic testing, gestational diabetes and GBS screening, supplements, monitoring, stretch and sweeps and induction — the list goes on.

  • from mode of birth, place of birth, pain relief, vaginal examinations, augmentation, support measures and more

  • from those minutes after birth (birth of your placenta, skin to skin, newborn examinations), to the days and weeks that follow, options span from the physical to mental, for you, your baby and whole family

you have choices.

you are the one that gets to make decisions about your care. not your care provider.

let’s ditch the term “shared decision-making” — there is nothing shared about it

let’s speak about informed choices, not “informed consent”

BRAIN

a tool for getting the right information, to make informed choices

  • What are the benefits of this suggested path forward or of this choice? What are the benefits for me, and for my baby?

  • What are the risks of this choice? Ask for the actual evidence, not just “your risk doubles”, for not just the relative risk but the absolute risk too.

    And remember that the assessment of risk is personal — what might be acceptable to you, may not be acceptable to someone else.

  • Are there any alternatives I can consider? (Then use BRAIN to assess each of these)

    This is a big one. Systems and care providers are used to people just going along for the ride, and not questioning the path. There are so many alternative options to so many common tests and interventions, but you often need to ask to find out about them.

  • What does my gut tell me about this choice? Does it feel like a “whole body yes”, or is it not sitting quite right with you?

    Our intuition says a lot.

    The midwifery philosophy is to trust women and their embodied knowledge, now it’s time for you to lean into it too.

    While it might not be determinative for you, acknowledging how you feel about this choice is key.

  • While a choice has been presented — what is likely to happen if I do nothing? Or if I wait 1/2 hours or days?

QUESTIONS? LET’S CHAT.

disclaimer
birthchoices, through this website, our service offerings and our podcast, aims to share stories and collate information to assist you in navigating your pregnancy and birth and in discussing these choices with your chosen pregnancy care provider. The information and resources provided are informational and educational in nature and does not constitute medical or midwifery advice and shall not be construed as constituting or replacing medical or midwifery advice.

We at birthchoices encourage you to make your own care decisions based on your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. The information provided is general in nature and we expressly recommend that you seek advice from your midwife or doctor who knows your individual circumstances in determining your approach to your pregnancy and birth. 

While we have worked hard to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and based on reliable and up to date evidence, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of this information. Our website and podcast are intended to complement, and never to substitute, your midwifery or medical clinical care. 

Neither we at birthchoices or any of our guests shall be held liable or responsible for any loss, damage or unfavourable outcomes arising out of the use or reliance on our content and/or your failure to seek appropriate medical, midwifery or health advice from a relevant licensed health care professional who is familiar with your individual circumstances.

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