Using the B.R.A.I.N. Framework During Labour

Labour often involves decisions. Some are small. Others feel heavier. Many arrive when you are tired, uncomfortable, or focused inward.

The B.R.A.I.N. framework is a simple way to structure those moments. It gives you a set of questions you can fall back on when choices come up, especially around medical interventions or changes in care.

You don’t need to memorise medical details or understand every possible outcome. You only need a way to slow the moment down enough to understand what’s being suggested and decide what makes sense for you.

What Does B.R.A.I.N. Stand For?

Each letter represents a question:

• B — Benefits
• R — Risks
• A — Alternatives
• I — Intuition
• N — Nothing

Together, they cover the main information you need to make an informed decision, without turning it into a technical discussion or a debate.

Why It’s Useful During Labour

In labour, thinking clearly can be difficult. Pain, exhaustion, and intensity change how you process information. When someone presents an option, it can be hard to know what to ask, or even where to start.

B.R.A.I.N. helps because it:

• gives you a predictable structure
• keeps the conversation focused
• makes space for both facts and personal judgement
• helps you avoid rushed decisions

It also makes it easier for your birth partner to step in and ask questions on your behalf when you’re deep in a contraction.

The Five Questions

Benefits

What are the benefits of this option?

This clarifies the purpose of what’s being suggested.

You might ask:

• What is this intended to achieve?
• How likely is it to help?
• What changes would we expect to see?

This sets the context for everything else.

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Risks

What are the risks?

Every option has trade-offs, including waiting.

You might ask:

• What are the immediate risks?
• Are there longer-term effects?
• How common are these outcomes?

This helps you weigh whether the potential benefit feels proportionate.

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Alternatives

What are the alternatives?

There is often more than one way forward.

You might ask:

• Is there another approach?
• Can we wait and reassess?
• Are there non-medical options?

This opens up choices that may better fit your preferences or birth plan.

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Intuition

What does my gut say?

This is about your internal response.

Labour is a physical and instinctive experience. If something feels off, or unexpectedly right, that information matters.

You might ask:

• Does this sit well with me?
• Do I feel rushed?
• Do I feel heard?

You don’t need to justify your instincts for them to be valid.

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Nothing

What if we do nothing for now?

Sometimes the best option is to pause.

You might ask:

• Is this urgent?
• What happens if we wait?
• Can we revisit this in 20 minutes?

Time often changes the picture.

How It Might Look in Practice

Let’s say a medical intervention is suggested during labour.

Using B.R.A.I.N., you or your partner might ask:

• What are the benefits right now?
• What are the risks?
• Are there alternatives?
• What does my intuition say?
• What happens if we do nothing for a while?

You don’t need long explanations. Short, clear answers are usually enough to guide your next step.

Using B.R.A.I.N. With Your Birth Partner

Many people find it helpful to share this framework with their partner before labour begins.

That way, when decisions arise, they can help ask questions, track answers, and slow the moment down if things start moving quickly.

Some people even write “B.R.A.I.N.” on a card or include it in their birth preferences as a reminder.

A Final Thought

The goal isn’t to control labour or avoid every intervention. It’s to stay involved in what’s happening, even when things are intense or unexpected.

B.R.A.I.N. gives you a way to stay oriented when decisions appear by keeping the focus on the few things that matter most.