B.R.A.I.N. is a useful technique that can help you weigh the pros and cons of any decision during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
When deciding what’s best for you and your baby, following these six steps will help you ask the right questions and make choices with all the information you need.
Making decisions about your prenatal care is easier if you have sorted out what matters most to you. Use this worksheet to think about your priorities so you can weigh your options.
Coming up with a birth plan and making decisions will be easier if you have sorted out what matters most to you. Use this worksheet to think about your priorities so you can weigh your options.
Use this worksheet to organize your birth plan and share with your support team what matters most to you during labor and birth.
Use these resources to become familiar with your rights during pregnancy and childbirth and to practice tools for self-advocacy.
One of the first choices you need to make in your pregnancy is where to go for your prenatal care. And it’s an important choice!
Print or share these words of encouragement so you can get a boost of confidence when you need it. The set includes blanks where you can write your own affirmations.
Having a C-section can still include delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact, and many other options you typically see with a vaginal birth.
While doctors and other providers are trusted professionals, you know your body best — trust your instincts! If something seems wrong or feels off, it is in your best interest to speak up for a safe and comfortable pregnancy.
Good care looks different for every person. In this chapter, you’ll meet doctors, midwives, doulas, and parents who discuss different models of care that are safe, respectful, and person-centered.
It takes a village to raise a child, and it is an incredible act of self-care to ask for help. This chapter looks at ways to build a support system with family, friends and skilled birth workers who will be there for you each step of the way.
A cesarean birth can be a life-saving procedure, but it can also impact your health for the rest of your life. Every person needs information and support to decide if it’s the right choice for them.