Making Informed Birth Choices: EBRAN
Using EBRAN to make informed birth choices (works in pregnancy and postnatally too!) is an absolute game changer. Sometimes birth throws us curve balls. Things that weren’t on our birth plan or that we hadn’t considered happening. How do you navigate these in a way that gives you all the options on the table, keeping both you and baby safe, and also allowing you to still feel in control. Ignorance is NOT bliss and we believe that knowledge really is power.
Firstly, what the heck is EBRAN?
EBRAN is a tool to use over anything that arises in pregnancy or birth. Perhaps you are being offered an induction following a growth scan. Maybe you are in labour and being recommended a cesarean section or episiotomy. The list is endless. EBRAN is a thought-process for you to work through when making any decision to help you remain informed and in control.
E – Firstly ask yourself, is it an emergency?
B – Next; what are the benefits of the intervention that is being recommended?
R – What are the risks associated with the intervention? I worried that if the baby wasn’t ready to come then may need varying levels of intervention. I also discussed with friends that because my immune disease is likely to flare post-birth, I felt that having as gentle birth as possible would potentially give my body the best chance of not having a huge flare.
A – What are the alternatives? Are there any other options that could be considered?
N – What happens if you do nothing?
You may have already used EBRAN to some extent without even realising it. It is a good idea to make sure your partner also understands EBRAN so they can also support you in making informed birth choices.
Beth’s Birth; Making informed choices for birth
Beth used EBRAN when she was expecting her fourth baby. She had a previous post-partum haemorrhage and was therefore advised to give birth on a consultant-led unit. Beth had initially wanted to give birth in a midwife-led unit due to there being more access to birth pools. Beth used EBRAN in her decision making.
Read Jamie’s Story – Using EBRAN to support with an empowered birth: A consultant led pregnancy.
