Use the BRAIN Acronym

Should I say yes to this test, this med, this policy? Use your BRAIN!

If you’ve been pregnant for more than five minutes, you’ve probably already had to make a decision that made you pause and think:
Do I really need this test?
Is this intervention routine or truly necessary for me?
How do I even know what’s “right” here?

Enter: the BRAIN acronym.

It’s one of my favorite tools to teach because it helps you stay grounded and informed—even when you’re in a 10-minute prenatal appointment or sifting through a stack of “what you should do” advice.

And guess what? BRAIN isn’t just for labor. It’s useful for all of pregnancy, and honestly, for postpartum too.

Here’s how it works:

B – Benefits

What are the benefits of this option?
Will this test, procedure, or medication help us understand something important? Improve safety? Prevent complications?

R – Risks

What are the possible side effects or downsides?
Could this option lead to more interventions, false positives, or stress?

A – Alternatives

Is there another way?
Can we try lifestyle changes first? A different test? More monitoring before jumping to the next step?

I – Intuition

What’s your gut telling you?
You live in this body. You know how to listen to it. Even when there’s a lot of medical talk flying around, your intuition still matters. A lot.

N – Nothing (for now)

What happens if we wait?
Sometimes, doing nothing right now is a totally valid option. Your body might just need more time, or you might need space to think or talk it over.

A few real-life pregnancy examples:

You’re offered early induction

Ask: What are the benefits for me and baby? What are the risks? Are there alternatives like extra monitoring? Does this feel right in my gut? What if we do nothing for a few days and check in again?

You’re told you “have to” take a glucose drink

BRAIN it: Are there other ways to screen for gestational diabetes? Can I eat food instead? What’s my gut say? Do I want time to look into this?

You’re labeled high-risk and referred to a specialist

Use your BRAIN to ask: What specifically are they monitoring for? What’s the plan if everything looks fine? Is this about actual safety—or covering liability?

Here’s the thing:

Pregnancy comes with a lot of decisions. Sometimes they’re straightforward, and sometimes they’re layered with emotion, statistics, pressure, and fear. BRAIN gives you a little structure—a way to pause, gather information, and make a decision that actually feels good in your body.

Not from fear.
Not from pressure.
From a place of power and clarity.

And if you need help walking through these decisions? That’s what I do all day in my programs and 1:1 support.

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Love,
Emily