For Parents Preparing to Birth During COVID-19
During this time where COVID-19 is rampant and social distancing is a necessary strategy, life feels a bit wild and a lot topsy-turvy. Life may feel extra uncertain for those who are pregnant and soon-to-be-expecting babies. Scientists are still learning how this strain of corona virus may affect unborn babies and newborns and, consequently, expectant parents’ birth support systems are being dismantled. For up-to-date evidence-based information on the COVID-19 and pregnancy or birth, check out Evidence Based Birth’s Resource Page. For those of you preparing to birth without your doula and/or alone, I offer you the following tool of support: Remember the acronym BRAIN and use it whenever you’re faced with a decision. Let me break it down…
remember BRAIN when considering [scenario XYZ]
Benefits:
What are the possible benefits of doing XYZ? (If it is being recommended to you, find out why)
Risks
What risks are associated with XYZ? How high are those risks?
Alternatives
What alternatives are available? What other options may provide similar results or the same result?
Intuition
What does your intuition, your instinct, your gut say? Trained professionals give recommendations based off of their training, experiences, and who they are as individuals. However, what feels important to you IS important, even if it’s not completely in-line with the care provider’s opinion. You have the right and responsibility to advocate for yourself.
Nothing
Can you do nothing this moment and wait one or two more hours then reassess? Consider if XYZ needs to be immediate or if you want to wait a bit longer before consenting.
This is YOUR birth. You need to be an active participant in it. Hospitals are designed for efficiency which often means that you have to be the one to create space for conversation and deliberation, to slow things down. Ask questions, but not permission. Seek the information you need to make an informed, confident choice. Remember that they are the ones who need YOUR permission to do anything directly to you during your birth. If something starts to be done to you, use the words “I do not consent” (Consent is a very powerful word) and then take the time you need to have a conversation and consider what is right for you.
You can start using BRAIN now. Use it when given considerations by your care provider. Use it when developing your birth plan. Use it in labor. Use it after baby has arrived.