EVIDENCE BASED CARE

WHAT IS EVIDENCE-BASED CARE?

It is the conscientious, explicit, judicious, and reasonable use of modern, best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. When applied well, it integrates clinical experience and patient values with the best available research information. Simply put, it is the practice of effective care with the least amount of harm.

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

We believe that every expecting mother has a right to know of, understand, and consent to any procedures offered or performed throughout the course of her pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum period. It is an unfortunate reality that standard hospital care in many parts of the world is not evidence-based. In fact, many hospital procedures go in direct contrast to recent medical evidence, and increase the risks for healthy mothers and babies. We strive to help our clients understand the evidence behind the policies and procedures and to make informed decisions about their care so that they may be active participants in their own birth stories. 

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WHAT ARE SOME GOOD RESOURCES TO GET ME STARTED?

• Evidence Based Birth -- Dedicated to putting the research back into the hands of birthing people and their families

• Cochrane: Pregnancy & Childbirth -- Promoting evidence-informed health decision-making

• Provider C-section rates -- Use the tool to look up your hospital's C-section rate. The World Health Organization's target is 10-15%; the average in the US is just under 30%. How does your provider compare? What about their colleagues (since your provider may not be on call when you deliver)?

• Safe, Healthy Birth: What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know

• FSA official store: What a Doula is and why FSA says to hire a Doula

• Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes

• American Pregnancy Association: Having A Doula: Is a Doula For Me?

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THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

• If you are healthy and have a low-risk pregnancy, then you should think of yourself as your provider's client, not their patient. You are not sick, pregnancy does not equal pathology, and there is nothing wrong with you that needs to be fixed. Pregnancy and childbirth are the most natural things in the world! 

• You can always switch providers. Yes, even at 38wks!

• Good maternity care is care that follows the evidence and empowers the mother with knowledge, choice, and consent.

• When making decisions about your care, use your BRAIN

  • What are the Benefits?

  • What are the Risks?

  • Are there any Alternatives?

  • What is your Intuition telling you? 

  • Does it have to be Now?

• Your due date is just an estimate! Babies come when they are ready. 

• In most cases, you always have a choice about the care you receive and the procedures you consent to.