Danger, Risk and Opportunity.

Birth is Dangerous!

or is it?


'Danger' and 'Risk' are sometimes used interchangably, but they actually mean very different things.  To use 'danger' when you mean 'risk', could be very damaging.  The Nocebo Effect is a very real phenomenon, and the words we use are very powerful.

Using 'danger' when you mean 'risk', and 'risk' when you mean 'chance', overstates the issue.

Using 'chance' when you could use 'opportunity' could understate an issue.

Let's put it in context.

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There was danger she could birth at home.
There was a risk she could birth at home.
There was a chance she could birth at home.
There was an opportunity she could birth at home.

When weighing up risk, the BRAIN guide is useful tool.  Here 'risk' could mean 'chance' or it could mean 'danger'.  This tool helps determine the context.  When no, or a very low, chance of a negative outcome is determined, then we start to see opportunity.

For example:​ 

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You are approaching your 'due date' and are offered an induction.  You are healthy, the offer is based only on the estimated date.

The Benefits to you: meet your baby sooner.
The Benefits to baby: none
The Benefits to the care provider: scheduled 'delivery', easier to 'manage'.

The Risks to you: cascade of intervention, possible emotional and physical trauma
The Risks to baby: possible time in NICU, possible exposure to intervention drugs (which may have long term impacts), possibly born premature.
The Risk to the care provider: none

The Alternatives for you: wait
The Alternatives for baby: wait
The Alternatives for the care provider: wait

Your Intuition: what do you feel most comfortable doing (you will meet your baby soon...)

Doing Nothing:  In this case, 'nothing' means simply waiting.

There is no risk.
There is OPPORTUNITY.

Listen carefully to your care provider.  
How do they use the word 'risk' or 'chance?
Do they ever use the word 'danger' when they really should say 'risk' or 'chance'?
Do they give you the time and space to make an Informed Decision?

Do they encourage you to ask questions?

Do they make you feel safe?
Or do they make you feel fearful?

You can change care providers.  Consider your options and choose the one that makes you feel most relaxed and comfortable.  This will be the one that is most safe for you.

​THIS POST IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE BIRTH MAP: BOLDLY GOING WHERE NO BIRTH PLAN HAS GONE BEFORE

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