Informed Choice...why does it matter?

Knowing your options in pregnancy and birth matters!

Informed Choice in Pregnancy and Labour

Informed choice during pregnancy and labour is a fundamental aspect of maternal healthcare that empowers women to make decisions regarding their bodies and their babies. This concept emphasizes the importance of providing expectant mothers with comprehensive information about their options, risks, and benefits associated with various medical interventions and practices.

Importance of Informed Choice

Making informed choices is crucial for several reasons:

• Empowerment: Informed choice gives women a sense of control over their pregnancy and birthing experience, fostering confidence in their decisions.

• Personalized Care: Each pregnancy is unique; informed choice allows women to select options that align with their values, preferences, and health conditions.

• Improved Outcomes: When women are educated about their choices, they are more likely to engage in positive health behaviors and adhere to care recommendations, potentially leading to better maternal and neonatal outcomes.

• Reduced Anxiety: Understanding the processes and potential interventions can alleviate fears and anxieties associated with childbirth.

In conclusion, informed choice in pregnancy and labour is essential for promoting autonomy, enhancing satisfaction, and improving health outcomes for both mothers and their babies.

As a doula, I help pregnant mothers make informed choices and I educate them on their options during pregnancy and labour. This means that the mother (and the father!) have the necessary told to make the decision that they are comfortable with, not a fear-based decision. They can have confidence that they have weighed the risks and benefits of the options being provided to them and make the choice that best suits their needs. Having given birth 4 times myself, I understand firsthand the power of informed choice - with my first birth I had no doula and I made decisions based on fear and doctor's orders. My next 3 births with having caregivers (doulas and midwives) that informed me of the risks and benefits of the options offered, I made better choices and had much better outcomes than with my first that was an emergency c-section. I was able to give birth naturally for the three children I had after my c-section. What a difference informed choice makes! Informed consent implies that something is explained to you as medically necessary and not optional, informed choice means that you are making a conscientious decision based on facts and not fear. When choosing a doula, it is important to note if your doula is knowledgeable about birth both natural and if interventions are needed. Is she in line with your desire to birth at home/in the hospital? Is she comfortable with explaining medical procedures to you? Writing a birth plan? Choosing the right doula for you also starts with informed choice - you choose your birth partner.

Informed choice matters...