Prompt 41: The "Decision in the Room" Real-Time Helper
When to use it
Your provider is offering a procedure or intervention (epidural, Pitocin, AROM, forceps, C-section) and you have ~60 seconds to decide. You need a quick framework.
The Prompt
My provider just offered/offered-to-do: [INTERVENTION — e.g., "breaking my water" / "starting Pitocin" / "an epidural" / "a C-section for [reason]" / "forceps" / "an episiotomy"].
I need to decide in the next minute. Help me think it through.
Context:
- Where I am in labor: [E.G., "4 cm" / "7 cm" / "fully dilated, started pushing 30 min ago" / "been pushing 2 hrs"]
- How I'm coping: [E.G., "still managing" / "exhausted" / "in pain" / "feeling pressure"]
- Baby's status (if known): [E.G., "heart rate looks fine" / "heart rate has some decels" / "I don't know"]
- My preferences: [E.G., "I wanted unmedicated" / "I was open to anything" / "I have a specific plan"]
- My energy/temperament right now: [E.G., "I can think" / "I can't think" / "I'm scared"]
- Time pressure they're giving me: [E.G., "they said 'no rush'" / "they said 'now or within 30 min'" / "they said it's urgent"]
Please give me:
1. The 4 questions to ask in the next 60 seconds (before deciding)
2. The BRAIN framework (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing) — quick version
3. What I'd want to know about this specific intervention (evidence + alternatives)
4. The 30-second "if my partner/doula is here, they should ask this" prompt
5. The "I need more time" script
6. The "I want to decline" script (if that's my answer)
7. How to make a good decision under pressure (not a regret-able one)
Important: Help me think clearly when I can't.Example output
*"4 questions to ask: (1) 'What happens if we wait an hour?' (2) 'What are the alternatives?' (3) 'Is this urgent or can I have 5 min?' (4) 'What changes for baby if I say yes?' BRAIN in 30 sec: Benefits (this helps [X]), Risks ([Y] in [Z]% of cases), Alternatives (we could try [W] first), Intuition (gut says yes/no), Nothing (we wait and see). Time pressure: 'urgent' = true emergency (baby's heart rate dropping, you're hemorrhaging). 'Within 30 min' = there's time. 'No rush' = take your time. 'I need more time' script: 'I'd like 5 min to talk to my partner and decide.' 'I want to decline' script: 'I'd like to decline for now. Can we revisit in [time]?'"*
Related prompts
Birth & Hospital#40
Prompt 40: The Labor Coping Toolkit
You're in labor (or close to it) and you need a menu of coping techniques organized by stage, intensity, and what works best when.
#42
Prompt 42: The First Feed Helper (Breast, Bottle, or Both)
Baby is here, you're trying to figure out the first feed, and there's a lot of pressure from multiple directions. You want clear, judgment-free guidance.
#43
Prompt 43: The First 72 Hours Post-Birth Plan
Baby is here, you're in the hospital (or just home from birth center), and the first 72 hours are a blur. You want a structured hour-by-hour survival guide.