{"id":1023,"date":"2026-02-16T16:06:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:06:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/client.craftgraphic.com\/rise\/?p=1023"},"modified":"2026-02-16T17:03:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T17:03:44","slug":"brains-decision-making-tool-pregnancy-birth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/client.craftgraphic.com\/rise\/midwifery-musings\/brains-decision-making-tool-pregnancy-birth\/","title":{"rendered":"BRAINS Decision Making Tool | Birth Choices | Rise Midwives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Step Into Your Power and Radical Responsibility: The BRAINS Tool<\/b><\/h3>\n

“If I don’t know my options, I don’t have any.”<\/i>
\n\u2014 Diana Korte, The New Pregnancy And Childbirth<\/p>\n

When it comes to making decisions during your birth journey, we want you to feel empowered, informed, and deeply connected to your intuition. That’s where the BRAINS acronym comes in! This tool helps you explore your options and encourages you to make choices that resonate with YOUR FAMILY!<\/p>\n

\"BRAINS<\/p>\n

What is the BRAINS Decision Making Tool?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The BRAINS tool is a framework that helps you navigate choices during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Whether you’re facing decisions about interventions, tests, birth location, or any aspect of your journey, BRAINS gives you a structure for thinking through your options.<\/p>\n

This simple acronym transforms how you approach informed consent, putting you back in the driver’s seat of your birth experience.<\/p>\n

How to Use the BRAINS Tool for Birth Decisions<\/b><\/p>\n

B – Benefits<\/b><\/p>\n

What are the benefits of the choice you’re considering?<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

Take a moment to reflect on how this option aligns with your values. Consider the positive impact that could happen right now, in the near future, and long term.<\/p>\n

R – Risks<\/b><\/p>\n

Now, let’s gently explore the risks involved.<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

Understanding what could potentially happen if you choose this path is part of making an empowered decision. Acknowledging the risks doesn’t mean we’re inviting fear in\u2014it’s about seeing the full picture.<\/p>\n

A – Alternatives<\/b><\/p>\n

What are your alternatives?<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

There’s often more than one way to navigate your journey. Explore the other options available to you and see what resonates. Trust your instincts! You can use BRAINS for all the options.<\/p>\n

I – Intuition<\/b><\/p>\n

Your intuition is your superpower!<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

Tune into your gut feelings about the decision. Listen to what your heart says. This is where you connect with your inner wisdom and let it guide you.<\/p>\n

N – Nothing<\/b><\/p>\n

What happens if you choose to do nothing right now?<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

Sometimes, taking a step back can be the most powerful choice. Allow yourself to sit with your thoughts and feelings before making a decision. Consider what happens if you do nothing at all.<\/p>\n

S – Second Opinion<\/b><\/p>\n

Is there time to get a second opinion?<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

Almost always. If finding an independent source feels difficult, try asking someone nearby, a senior midwife or consultant, for their thoughts. Sometimes, seeking another perspective is the most empowering step you can take. Consider what happens if you take a moment to ask.<\/p>\n

Making Choices That Resonate With You And Serve Your Family<\/b><\/h4>\n

In today’s complex healthcare landscape, where choices abound, embracing radical responsibility for your own body and decisions is a powerful, transformative step forward during pregnancy.<\/p>\n

The BRAINS method invites you to take aligned action that truly resonates with you and your family, because ultimately, the choice is always yours.<\/p>\n

Questions to Ask Using BRAINS<\/b><\/h3>\n

This approach encourages deep curiosity and empowers you to ask important questions like:<\/p>\n