The B.R.A.I.N. Technique
Your No. 1 Tool to Make Informed Decisions During Pregnancy & Birth.
During your pregnancy and labour, you'll face many decisions about your care. Some will be straightforward, while others might feel overwhelming in the moment. That's where the B.R.A.I.N. technique comes in – a simple framework that helps you feel confident and informed about every choice you make.
Your right to informed consent
Something that often gets lost when we’re swept up in the medical system is that it is your legal right to determine what happens to your own body. This isn't just a nice-to-have, it's the law.
That means you have the CHOICE about whether or not you want to go ahead with every single test, scan, or procedure. Regardless of whether it’s standard or not, nothing in your pregnancy or labour is mandatory.
For consent to be truly informed, you need two things upfront:
A clear explanation of what the procedure involves – not medical jargon, but plain language you can understand.
Why it is being suggested in your specific situation – not just general reasons, but what's relevant to you and your baby right now.
Once you have this foundation, you can work through the rest of the BRAIN framework with your caregiver.
What is B.R.A.I.N?
B.R.A.I.N. is an acronym that gives you and your birth partner five essential questions to ask about any recommended test, procedure, or intervention:
B – BENEFITS
What are the benefits of your recommendation? How will this help me or my baby?
R – RISKS
What are the risks of your recommendation? What could go wrong, and how likely is that?
A – ALTERNATIVES
What are the alternatives to your recommendation? What other options do I have?
I – INDUCTION
What is my intuition telling me? How do I feel about this decision?
N – NOTHING
What happens if we do nothing? Can we wait and reassess?
Using B.R.A.I.N. in Practice
The beauty of B.R.A.I.N. is its simplicity. You don't need to remember complex medical information – just these five questions. They work for everything from routine procedures to unexpected situations that arise during labour.
Your care provider should welcome these questions. They're a sign of an engaged, informed parent, and any caregiver worth their salt will respect your desire to fully understand your options.
Remember, the "I" – your intuition matters. You know your body and baby better than anyone, and your instincts are a valuable part of the decision-making process.
Ask for 10 minutes alone
True emergencies don’t wait and your caregiver will take action immediately if you or your baby’s life is truly at risk. But most situations allow for you and your birth partner to make a decision together, without your caregivers in the room. After you’ve gone through the B.R.A.I.N. framework, ask to be left alone for ten minutes so you can discuss the next steps, alone.
Your Partner's Role
If you have a birth partner, they can be invaluable in helping you use B.R.A.I.N. When you're in active labour, it can be hard to think clearly. Your partner can ask these questions on your behalf and help you process the information.
B.R.A.I.N. helps you make informed decisions
While no-one knows how your pregnancy and birth will unfold, using B.R.A.I.N. helps you feel in control and comfortable about the choices you make about your care.
Contact Kelly
If you have any questions or would like more info, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch by clicking the button below and completing the contact form.
About Kelly Allen
My name is Kelly, and I’m a certified birth and postpartum doula who completed my training at the Doula Training Academy. I service women and birthing people in the North Shore of Sydney, helping you enter and emerge from birth and the fourth trimester feeling physically and emotionally well.