Unexpected expectations sarah11/28/2023 ![]() ![]() Have you ever gone shopping for a new car? How would you ask questions in order to get information? What about buying a house? How would you ask questions to make sure you are making a good decision? Or in the smaller things like buying a new shirt. Before birth women can practice asking questions in everyday life. What are the Benefits? What are the Risks? What are the Alternatives? What do my Instincts say? What if we do Nothing?, at least long enough to think? What would make me feel Safe or Satisfied? Think about the questions we would ask ourselves before buying a shirt, a car or a house. Using the BRAINS acronym can give you the tools you need to know what to do next. Asking questions can help you make decisions as they come up during labour. By starting to ask questions in the office she can start to feel comfortable in communication with those around her. Before birth a woman can go over her preferences with her care provider. Penny Simkin asks, “Should women have a right to directly express their concerns and preferences and have them heeded by their clinical caregivers?”5 A woman does have the right to ask questions for herself and her baby. A woman may be worried that if she asks questions or that she may not be heard. ![]() Women may feel like they are unable to ask for more information. A great first step is to begin asking your care provider questions about your care, and birth. These preparations start long before birth. There are many things that a woman can do prenatally in order to prepare for when, or if, during her birth things may take an unexpected turn. Women who understand the benefits and risks of such a procedure are also better able to face some of the challenges associated with it postpartum. She knows that even though this is an unexpected part of her labour she will be able to meet her needs and those of her baby’s with confidence. Based on what she has learned through her own research, classes, information provided by her care-givers and her own inner knowing she feels the next best thing for her, and her baby is to accept the epidural. It is an educational process, helping you learn about options and evaluate the risks and benefits of various interventions.6 For instance, a mother may have planned to not receive an epidural during labour, but her labour has been very long and tiring, and she is feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Yet, the birth plan can help you to take responsibility for your decisions and know what to ask to be fully informed. A woman still has the ability and the right to change her mind and make different decisions based on what is happening in the moment. While only a piece of paper it reflects the hopes and expectations of the birthing woman. Birth plans are not just about the final document either, they are about the preparation a woman has put in to understanding her options in childbirth. ![]()
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