Congrats you're pregnant! Tips to help you avoid information overload

Congrats you're pregnant! Tips to help you avoid information overload

When you become pregnant, everyone has an opinion on what is good and bad! What is the right information for you? What is useful and what is not? How do you filter it all and make the right choices for you?

Families are faced with options and information about pregnancy and birth like never before. For some, the information is welcome and helpful whereas others feel completely overwhelmed. Many families receive information from well-meaning family members, friends, strangers, television, movies, internet, google or social media. Often this can focus on detailed negative birth experiences of others, increasing apprehension. It is important to remember stories are simply a single person’s experience and are not related to your baby. In fact, personal stories can often lead to poor or misguided advice.

Hayley Hall has been a midwife for over 17 years, the founder of Mother Midwife, mum of four and is here to help. Hayley provides her suggestions to overcome the abundance of information available, how to navigate evidence-based, unbiased education and how these sources can help to alleviate fear.

Information overload occurs when families feel overwhelmed and this impacts their ability to make informed decisions. Common signs of information overload include feeling anxious, frantically searching the internet, the inability to make decisions and frequent presentations to hospital or care providers for reassurance. Although pregnancy is a universal experience, it is also a very personal one. Everyone is different and what works for one family may not work for another. Information is essential to enhance preparation, informed decision-making and confidence. However, it is important families filter information and acknowledge adequate sources which are unbiased and based on evidence gathered from research.

As a midwife, I encourage families to find information that is easy to read, current, relevant, balanced and based on scientific evidence. Evidence based information is more reliable because of the rigorous way studies are peer reviewed and analysed. Research provides more certainty for families rather than media trends or speculation. Families are encouraged to seek knowledge from trusted experts and professionals and use this information in conjunction with individual instincts as you know your body and baby best.

Ways to avoid information overload include:
• Choose a care provider wisely ensuring practices align with personal values and desires.
• Ensure your health practitioner is qualified and experienced.
• Write down a list of questions to ask your care provider at each appointment.
• Care providers should meet your needs, spend quality time answering questions, actively listen to your concerns and accommodate your preferences.
• Families should walk out of an appointment feeling positive, respected and supported.
• Enrol in a birth class with a qualified professional with credentials. Birth education is an investment in yourself, your baby and your choices.

Most importantly, think about how the information you receive makes you feel. If you have acquired knowledge that makes you feel confused and unsure, this isn’t helpful. Adequate information should provide reassurance, expand your knowledge base, explore your options and provide a clearer vision of your journey ahead.

Written by PBC Expo Midwife Hayley Hall
Midwife, Birth Educator and Mum of 4
For more information about pregnancy, birth, parenthood and my birth classes, visit
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Website www.mothermidwife.com