Two Childbirth Education Tools Every Pregnant Mom Should Know: B.R.A.I.N. and B.R.E.A.T.H.E.
- Loree Siermachesky
- Feb 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 16
It has become increasingly important for everyone to do their research into the available medical treatments and alternative options for any given procedure, but this is especially imperative for expectant parents. The following two childbirth education tools for pregnant moms can help. The impossibility of learning everything you need to know about the common interventions during prenatal appointments is high, but also because the standards of care vary, not only between each hospital but also between different healthcare providers.
One of the most valuable childbirth education tools taught to parents in prenatal classes today is how to necessitate decision-making. But, how does one utilize the right of informed consent before any treatment or procedure? Using the acronym B.R.A.I.N. helps women and their support people understand the recommendations of the healthcare provider when deciding on the possibility of consenting to medical interventions.
The Two Childbirth Education Tools Every Pregnant Mom Should Know
B.R.A.I.N.
Benefits: How does the recommended course of action or suggestion help me, my baby, or my labour?
Risks: How does the recommended course of action or suggestion affect me, my baby, or my labour? What other procedures may follow?
Alternatives: Are there any other options that I could consider? What are their benefits and risks?
Impact: What could be the physical and emotional ramifications if I choose to do or not do this? What can I expect to happen or change as a result?
Nothing: What would be the consequence if I choose to say no or opt to wait?
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By asking these questions, women and their partners work collaboratively with medical staff and can increase their confidence in labour when making informed choices about care. Effective communication is a key component to having a positive birth experience!
However, this is not the only tool that can increase satisfaction during childbirth. While B.R.A.I.N. is a relatively known decision-making tool, not many know about utilizing B.R.E.A.T.H.E as a tool for coping with pain in labour.
In prenatal classes, you will be taught many comfort techniques, positional changes, breathing methods, and calming rituals. Often, these are foreign ways of coping with pain for many people. Understanding how your body naturally responds and reacts to stress and exertion is often a better approach. When people are under duress, they often revert to what they know or normally do. Using the acronym B.R.E.A.T.H.E. helps women and their partners understand what their usual reactions are in dealing with discomfort and anxiety.
B.R.E.A.T.H.E
Breath: What is your breathing like when you are trying to relax? What pattern do you use now when you exercise? Do you take slow deep breaths? Do you hyperventilate? Hold your breath? Other?
Relaxation: What works for you to relax now? Mentally starting at your head and relaxing each body part? Touch? Movement? Sound? Hydrotherapy? Isolation? Other?
Emotion: What kind of emotional support are you hoping for in labour? Quiet, hand-holding? A staunch supporter of your wishes? Kind, encouraging words? Validation? Reassurance? Other?
Activity: What kind of positions do you see yourself using? Being on a birth ball? Slow dancing? Rocking? Walking? Being on your hands and knees? Other?
Touch: Where, how, and if you want to be massaged in labour may change but what feels good right now? Hand, feet, shoulder, or head massage? Lower back pressure? Hip squeezes? Hair brushing? Other?
Hearing: How important is it for you to be heard by your medical staff? Your partner? Your other support people? Do you want a quiet environment? Do you want particular music or sounds? Discreet talking?
Environment: What is important to you about your surroundings, in addition to what you will be hearing? What do you want to see? What do you want to taste? What can you feel? What do you want to smell? What helps when you’re hot? Cold?
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Every woman will have her own variation of what is comfortable or the most natural response, but most women seem to revolve around a few key features that can be adjusted as they labour. Discover how you respond to everyday stress and anxiety and apply that knowledge with your partner in your birth experience. Test what you learned in prenatal class to see if those tools and techniques feel right for you. There is no right or wrong way to labour!
Do you think these easy-to-remember acronyms would be useful for you? Several other acronyms are taught in our prenatal classes. The benefit of our childbirth education series is the course is taught privately in your home and at your convenience. If you are looking for informative, interactive prenatal classes catering to your learning style and comfort, I have you covered!
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