Greetings, sister! Welcome back to another enlightening discussion. Today, let's delve into the crucial difference between Informed Choice and Informed Consent. Did you know that not every medical professional or midwife emphasizes this distinction or discloses the full range of choices available to you?

Let's break it down!

Most care providers typically operate under the umbrella of "Informed Consent," but the catch is, that not all may prioritize your consent genuinely. Consent, in its basic form, implies a yes or no to a choice, but it falls short of ensuring you're aware of the complete array of options at your disposal.

Now, Informed Choice takes it a step further. It means that every facet of your care becomes YOUR CHOICE! Your care provider should demonstrate a genuine commitment to guiding you through each option, meticulously educating you on the positives and negatives of every choice and ensuring you are empowered with the full spectrum of possibilities. Let's navigate the realm of informed decision-making together!

This embodies the path of the autonomous woman when faced with a decision. Take prenatal testing, such as Gestational Diabetes or the GBS Swab, as an example. It's crucial to delve deeply into what these tests entail, comprehend the methodologies employed, and be well-versed in the physical, emotional, and spiritual implications. Fully understanding the potential results and their accuracies is essential. Equally important is gaining insights into all available treatment options.

Armed with a comprehensive understanding of the decision at hand, you can make an informed choice. Whether you decide to undergo the testing or not, having a well-thought-out plan for the next steps, irrespective of the results, empowers you to navigate your pregnancy journey with confidence and autonomy.

Ask yourself:

What will you do with the information you gain? 

A powerful and time-tested tool has been a staple in the birth worker community, and it's called "BRAIN." Back in 2016, when I first joined this community, I vividly recall receiving training on this invaluable tool. BRAIN is an acronym encapsulating Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, and Need Time—a comprehensive approach that facilitates informed decision-making.

Benefits. 

How will this help my pregnancy?

How will this help my baby?

How will this help my birth?

How will this help me? 

Risks.

How will this affect my pregnancy?

How will this affect my baby?

How will this affect my birth?

How will this affect me? 

Alternatives.

What other options do I have?

(Because, there are ALWAYS other options.)

Intuition.

I love this one the most… because it feels like we live in a disconnected society that needs to return to their instincts and intuition. Return to the roots.

So, ask yourself:

What does my gut say?

What does God say?

Need Time. 

“I need more time to think this decision through.”

“I need a private moment to talk to my family.”

“I would like to wait for now.”

“I do not consent.”

There's also the Wise Woman/Hearthmother approach to healing, living, and decision-making—a concept that's relatively new to me but resonates deeply. It was truly an "AHA" moment when I first encountered it. My introduction to this way of life came through a podcast featuring midwife Lauren Hall on Holy Wild Birth with Brooke Collier.

This lifestyle involves several steps, and a crucial aspect is staying aligned with the Lord's Will. Given my profound connection and alignment with this philosophy, I'm excited to share a brief overview, although it's a simplified recap. For a deeper exploration, I encourage you to check out the linked podcasts below for more in-depth study and independent reflection.

Holy Wild Birth

The Way of the Hearthmother

Indie Birth

Wise Woman Tradition

The Six Steps of Healing

Step 1: Engage in Prayer & Worship

Directing our focus to the bedrock of Christ, prayer takes precedence as the initial and essential step.

Step 2: Embrace Rest/Sabbath/Waiting Upon the Lord

Extending from Step 1, incorporate the practice of rest and Sabbath. Just as the Lord performed healing on the Sabbath, there is transformative healing in our waiting. Connect with nature, listen, and wait—this isn't about doing but engaging in inner work.

Step 3: Pose Questions

Seek guidance by asking probing questions. Delve into understanding what is transpiring. Conduct thorough research on your available options. Cultivate curiosity—about yourself, your emotions, and the inner stirrings of your spirit. Explore the possibility of deeper insights and understanding. What is happening? What could be going on? Is there something deeper here?

Step 4: Connect with the Body of Christ
(Elders, Community Prayer & Support, Story Healing)

Turn to wise counsel within the community. Embrace repentance—changing your mind and ceasing to believe falsehoods. Speak and know the truth, allowing it to guide your intuition, actions, and choices. Recognize that we are not designed to navigate life in isolation.

Step 5: Sustain/Nurture/Align
(Nourishing Foods, Herbs, Movement, Alignment Body Work, Emotional & Spiritual Support, Homeopathy)

Embrace the way we were inherently designed to live. Prioritize nourishing movement. Reflect on what truly nourishes you. Are you aligning with the physiological design of your body? Recognize that your body possesses an innate ability to heal itself. Foster alignment by providing the necessary support for your body to carry out its inherent healing processes.

Step 6: Gentle Intervention
(Balancing Herbal Medicine, Manual Stimulation, Intuitive Intervention, Guiding Back to the Path of Normalcy)

Practice intuitive intervention with utmost gentleness. Tune in and listen attentively to your body's cues.

Step 7: Assertive Intervention
(Man-Made Supplements, Pharmaceuticals, Skillfully-Guided Intervention)

Apply a more assertive approach to nudge back towards the path of normalcy. Relying on insights from human wisdom, this step involves purposeful efforts to "shift and change" aspects that may require a more determined intervention.

Step 8: Invasive Measures
(Surgery, Invasive Diagnostics & Treatments involving "break & enter")

This step involves interventions that breach the natural design, penetrating the body in a highly invasive manner.

There is no harm in following steps 1-5; rather, these steps complement each other and should be layered. It's not about choosing one over the other; instead, they build upon one another.

This process mirrors God's design for our bodies to heal, sister!

I trust you found value in delving into Informed Choice and the intricacies of making conscious decisions. Often, doctors and midwives may present choices as very black-and-white. I want to encourage you, sister, to explore a bit deeper and embrace the richness of the decision-making process.

Stay Wild & Free,
-Brandy

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