Informed Decision-Making & Why the Midwifery Model Stands Out
A licensed midwife performing a newborn exam after delivery.
Pregnancy is a time of transformation—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. With this transformation comes a series of important choices about how and where to give birth, what kind of care to receive, and how to navigate the many recommendations that come from the medical system. One of the most empowering tools for expectant families is informed decision-making, and few models of care prioritize it as deeply and consistently as the midwifery model.
What Is Informed Decision-Making?
Informed decision-making goes beyond simply giving consent. It means having access to clear, unbiased information about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of every option presented during pregnancy and birth. It means being invited into conversation—not coerced, rushed, or left in the dark. It centers the pregnant person as the ultimate authority over their body and their baby.
At its core, informed decision-making includes:
Timely and evidence-based information
Freedom from coercion or pressure
Respect for bodily autonomy
Ongoing dialogue and shared decision-making
How the Midwifery Model Supports Informed Consent
Midwives are trained not just to provide clinical care, but to build relationships. The midwifery model is rooted in continuity of care, mutual respect, and time—all essential ingredients for meaningful informed decision-making.
Here’s how midwives foster this environment:
1. Time for Conversation
In most midwifery practices, prenatal visits last 30 to 60 minutes—far longer than the average 10-15 minute OB visit. This allows space for education, listening, and personalized discussion. Questions are welcomed, preferences are honored, and information is shared in plain language.
2. Holistic, Individualized Care
Midwives consider the whole person—their emotional, cultural, and physical context. Recommendations are not one-size-fits-all; they are shaped by what matters most to each client. Whether it’s a discussion about gestational diabetes testing, ultrasound frequency, or pain management in labor, midwives walk alongside their clients, not in front of them.
3. Freedom from Routine Intervention
The midwifery model supports physiologic birth. Because midwives are not operating under the same hospital protocols and time pressures, they can support birth with fewer routine interventions—like inductions, continuous monitoring, or cesareans—unless truly needed. This leaves more room for clients to make informed choices based on their own comfort levels and values.
4. Shared Decision-Making in Labor
In the moment of labor, decisions sometimes need to be made quickly—but that doesn’t mean autonomy disappears. Midwives are trained to communicate clearly and compassionately, even in urgent situations, ensuring that the birthing person is included in every step.
Why This Matters
Too many birthing people leave their birth experience feeling unheard, overpowered, or unsure of why certain interventions happened. Informed decision-making changes that. It builds confidence. It reduces trauma. It improves outcomes—because when people understand their options and feel respected in their choices, they birth with more peace, strength, and trust.
A Client’s Perspective
“I have had my last 2 births with this group of midwives. I came to them as a VBAC and I felt very informed the entire process. I would say their practice is the perfect mix of science and “crunchy.” I felt extremely safe the entire process and was always given options and choices throughout both pregnancies. I would give 10 stars if I could.”— J Davis (Music City Midwifery, LLC Google review)
Closing Thoughts
Choosing a provider who values informed decision-making is one of the most powerful steps you can take in your pregnancy journey. At Music City Midwifery, we believe that knowledge is power, and that you are the expert of your own experience. We are here to listen, inform, and support—every step of the way.