The importance of Prenatal Education & Informed Consent

Prenatal education is an essential aspect of perinatal care that can help you better understand your body, the process of pregnancy and childbirth, and how to care for yourself and your baby. It can also provide support person(s) with helpful information on what to expect and how to optimize outcomes and support during this transition. Education has also proven to help reduce anxiety and increase confidence in the ability to give birth and care for your newborn.

Research has also shown that prenatal education can significantly improve perinatal outcomes. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that prenatal education was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of preterm birth and low birth weight, and cesarean sections. It has also shown improvement of maternal mental health and breastfeeding outcomes. Additionally, prenatal education prepares you to advocate for true informed consent and collaboration with your perinatal team along your birth and postpartum journey.

Informed consent refers to the process by which a healthcare provider explains the benefits, risks, and alternatives of a proposed medical intervention, giving you the autonomous and informed decision about whether or not to undergo the procedure.The importance of informed consent in perinatal care lies in its ability to protect the health outcomes of both the mother and the newborn. A lack of informed consent can lead to interventions that may have unintended consequences or potentially cause harm.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also emphasizes the importance of informed consent and shared decision-making in perinatal care.

I’m Amanda, an experienced Labor & Delivery RN,IBCLC and owner of The Mama Coach! I am a huge advocate for improved perinatal outcomes, education, and support. Informed consent is one of my passions. I want you, and all birthing persons to feel prepared, encouraged and supported on your individual journey. I prioritize informed consent in my prenatal education courses (both 1:1 and in groups). We review the importance of using your BRAIN when making decisions on your birth and parenting journey.

Your BRAIN is: B- Benefits. Ask what are the benefits of this?

R-Risks. Are there any risks?

A- Alternatives. Are there any alternatives to this?

I- Intuition. What is your gut

telling you?

N-Nothing. What happens if we do nothing?

Using your BRAIN, is a good indicator that you have all the information to make a true informed decision.

In addition to informed consent, a collaborative healthcare team approach is another critical component of improving perinatal outcomes. Collaborative healthcare teams involve a group of healthcare professionals from different disciplines who work together to provide comprehensive care to the mother and newborn. This team-based approach to care has been shown to improve communication, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce medical errors, leading to improved perinatal outcomes. The collaborative team should include: the patient and their chosen support person(s), Doula, Registered Nurse, Midwife, OBGYN, IBCLC, Pediatrician.

In conclusion, prenatal education and the use of a collaborative approach to informed care can significantly improve perinatal outcomes. Therefore, prioritizing prenatal education is vital. If you are looking for an all inclusive prenatal education course, I would love to help empower you on your journey via a 1:1 or group session in your home or virtually! I highly recommend you check into your insurance, as oftentimes the expense is reimbursed due to the many known benefits! It is my passion to help families on their journey through birth and beyond, and it would be an honor to support you. You can feel confident that with 9 years of maternal child health nursing experience, you will get not only evidence based information and non judgmental support on your journey, but the inside scoop too! Learn more about prenatal services here or email Amanda at amanda.gilman@themamacoach.com