Making Confident Birth Choices – Part One

What Is B.R.A.I.N.S. and Why Do You Need It?

You’ve likely heard “use your brain” before—but in pregnancy and birth, we take that advice to the next level. In this case, “B.R.A.I.N.S.” is more than just a clever acronym. It’s a decision-making tool that helps you slow down, ask the right questions, and feel damn good about the choices you make.

Too often, I meet people (clients, friends, even strangers in the frozen food aisle) who don’t realize how many options they actually have during pregnancy and birth. That’s exactly why I created my course Your Birth, Your Options—to help you stop feeling like things are just “happening to you” and start owning your experience.

So, let’s dive into how B.R.A.I.N.S. works, and why it’s a game-changer.

Start Here: Is This an Emergency?

Before you bust out the acronym, hit pause and ask:

“Is this an emergency?”

Nine times out of ten, it’s not. If it were a true emergency, there'd probably be obvious signs or a very clear “this needs to happen now” vibe. Most decisions, even the ones that feel urgent, give you time to think. So use it.

B – Benefits

What’s the upside of what's being suggested?

Example: “What are the benefits of weekly non-stress tests at the end of pregnancy?”
Make sure the benefits are relevant to you, not just what’s commonly done.

R – Risks

What are the potential downsides or side effects?

Ask: “What are the risks to me or my baby if I go along with this?”
Every intervention, no matter how routine, carries some level of risk.

A – Alternatives

Is this the only option? (Spoiler alert: rarely.)

“Is there another way to get the information or outcome you’re after?”
Sometimes the alternative is slower or less flashy—but still safe and effective.

Ready to have this conversation confidently with your provider?

➡️➡️➡️ Get my free BRAINS PDF here – keep it on your phone or print it for appointments and labor.

Curious to see how I break this down inside my course?

🎥 Watch this lesson for free and see how this tool can become second nature for you.

This post covered the first half of the BRAINS acronym.

🧠 Don't miss Part Two coming soon, where we tackle the more personal—but equally important—steps: Instinct, Nothing, and Space.