Your Story, Your Choices: Reclaiming Informed choice in birth

There’s no shortage of advice when it comes to pregnancy and birth. Scroll through social media and you’ll see strong opinions everywhere. I just saw a doula/content creator post a reel that said, "Here are my top pieces of advice: Don’t get cervical checks. Say no to induction..."

In this post, we’ll explore why real empowerment in birth isn’t about following a set of rules, it’s about understanding your options, feeling informed, and making decisions that align with your values.

Understanding true empowerment and informed choice in birth

These statements often come from a place of wanting to protect others, possibly by helping them avoid unnecessary interventions or feel more empowered in their choices. But here’s the thing: when we tell someone what they should or shouldn’t do, even with good intentions, we’re not supporting choice, we’re replacing one directive with another.

Because true empowerment doesn’t come from advice, or "here's what I would do if I were you"

It comes from understanding your options, being comfortable and safe enough to ask questions, and making decisions that feel aligned with your values.

The Role of a Doula in Informed Choice

As a doula, my role is to take the time to understand your goals, provide balanced, evidence-based information, and support you in making informed, value-aligned decisions. So when you accept or decline anything, you truly know what you are saying yes to. Sometimes that looks like saying,

“Here’s what your ‘yes’ means. If you’re comfortable with that, that’s wonderful. I completely support your choice either way.”

Because maybe the idea of cervical checks brings you peace of mind or reassurance. And when you understand all that it encompasses, maybe your perspective shifts,

or maybe it doesn’t.

Both choices are valid.

That’s the difference between advice and connection. Connection seeks to understand. Advice seeks to control.

What matters most is that you feel supported, informed, and respected in every decision you make, because this isn’t anyone else’s story but your own.