‘BRAND’ING YOUR LABOUR

Midwife and childbirth educator Tina Otte teaches the acronym ”BRAND” to parents in her childbirth classes. It is a handy ”tool” for you and your partner to use during labour when presented with a choice for intervention. Each letter is a question about the intervention to ask your caregiver, like this:

■ B stands for benefits – what are the benefits of the procedure?

■ R stands for risks – what are the risks of the procedure to my baby, and to me?

■ A stands for alternatives

– what other options do we have, is there anything else we can we do first or instead of the procedure?

■ N stands for wait, do nothing and see the progress. Ask your caregiver to give you a realistic timeline to wait and see your progress before the procedure becomes an absolutely necessity.

■ D stands for make your decision.

This tool helps ensure that you get all the information you need to make an informed decision and to know that you were not forced into anything you did not want or feel was necessary for the health of yourself or your child. Once the decision is made, trust that you, your partner and caregivers have made the right, positive decision.