No matter where or how you’re planning to give birth, one thing’s for sure, there will be decisions to make.
The biggest one is probably “Should I have an induction?!”
And while that’s a very personal decision with no clear right and wrong option, there are some steps you can make to help guide you to the best option for you.
It can seem daunting making what feels like massive decisions with little understanding of the implications and not knowing which questions to ask. But I want to start by pointing out that parenting involves a lot of decision making, and that you’ve already made many decisions in pregnancy so far!
Whether it was to have or not have certain blood tests, or which vitamins to take, or what to avoid food-wise etc. We make decisions every day without even realising.
We move though these decisions on a day-to-day basis without even thinking about it, because we know how to weigh these things up, but when it’s a bigger decision it’s good to have a framework.
The most well-known acronym for decision making is BRAIN, ‘use your brain!’. And it’s helpful when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Benefits – Usually the points that are presented to us when being offered something. The reasons you’re being offered or are considering the option. What are the advantages?
Risks – The other side, what risks are you accepting if you accept this option, what are the disadvantages?
Alternatives – What alternatives are there? This is helpful in making an empowered decision, it reminds you that you really do have choice, even if you go with the option presented it can help you feel more empowered to remind yourself you have a choice.
Instincts – Or intuition of you prefer. What feels right to you, what feels like the best decision.
Nothing – Do you have to do something right now?
Taking some time to run through some scenarios during pregnancy and practising your decision making skills can be helpful. Maybe consider the different options for induction, whether to have a stretch and sweep, or whether or not to have an induction, talking through the options before. Discussing the options with your birth parent or a friend can be helpful in advance, when you have time to research.
Resources to Help with Decision Making
Consider the evidence around the topic you’re making a decision on.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – You’ll often hear people talk about NICE guidelines; you can search for the relevant topic here.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) – you can read information on recommended clinical practice, searching for the relevant topic on the website and read papers and ‘Green-top Guidelines’, which are created for health care professionals, but are a great resource for learning more about the options presented to you.