Yesterday, we talked about how a huge percentage of maternity care isn’t even based on strong evidence.

Which brings us to today’s big question:

💡 How do you balance trusting your instincts with listening to medical advice?

Because let’s be honest: sometimes, expert advice is invaluable. But other times, your gut feeling is telling you something that doesn’t sit right.

So how do you separate real medical necessity from unnecessary intervention?

That’s exactly what we’re diving into today.

🌿 The Myth That Experts Always Know Best

We’re taught from a young age to trust the experts—especially doctors and medical professionals.

And in many cases, this makes sense—they have knowledge, training, and experience that the average person doesn’t.

But here’s what people don’t realise:

💡 Doctors are trained in maternity care within the hospital system—which means they are experts in managing birth, not necessarily understanding physiological birth.

💡 Most doctors are taught to see birth as a process that needs monitoring and intervention—not as something that unfolds safely most of the time.

💡 Medical training is based on risk prevention—so doctors often focus on what could go wrong, rather than what’s actually happening in the moment.

This doesn’t mean medical advice is useless. It just means it’s not the only piece of the puzzle.

And that’s where your intuition comes in.

🔥 The Role of Intuition in Birth (And Why It’s So Powerful)

Women’s bodies are wired to sense when something is right or wrong in birth.

You see it in animals all the time—when they feel unsafe, they:

🔹 Move to a different location

🔹 Delay labour until the threat is gone

🔹 Change positions instinctively

💡 Your body knows how to birth. But more importantly, it knows when something feels off.

So the real question is:

🚀 What happens when medical advice clashes with your intuition?

How do you know when to trust your gut—and when to listen to the experts?

⚖️ How to Balance Intuition & Medical Advice in Maternity Care

Here’s a simple framework to help you make decisions you truly feel confident in:

1️⃣ Check in with Your Body First

Before you even ask for advice, take a moment to ask yourself:

💡 How do I feel about this situation?

💡 Do I sense that something is wrong, or am I just being told it is?

💡 Am I making this decision out of fear or out of confidence?

💭 Your first instinct is often your clearest.

2️⃣ Separate Urgency from Pressure

One of the biggest red flags in maternity care is when urgency is created where there is none.

🚨 “You need to make a decision right now.

🚨 “We strongly recommend you do this immediately.”

🚨 “If you don’t, you’re putting your baby at risk.”

Here’s how to respond:

💡 “Is this a true emergency, or do I have time to think?”💡 “What happens if I wait an hour?”💡 “Can I have a moment to discuss this with my partner before making a decision?”

True emergencies require immediate action. But if there’s time to discuss? 🚀 That means there’s time to question.

3️⃣ Ask for the Facts (Not Just Their Opinion)

If a doctor or midwife suggests an intervention, don’t just take their word for it.

✔ Ask for data – “What does the research say about this?”

✔ Ask about options – “Are there any other ways to handle this?”

✔ Ask about the risks – “What are the short-term and long-term risks of this intervention?”

If the answer feels vague or dismissive?

🚀 That’s a sign to trust yourself more.

4️⃣ If It Still Doesn’t Feel Right, Trust That Feeling

At the end of the day, you are the one giving birth. You are the one who has to live with the outcome.

Even if an expert tells you their recommendation is “for the best,” ask yourself:

💡 Does this feel right for me and my baby?

Because intuition is not irrational.

🚀 It’s your body’s intelligence speaking to you.

🚀 It’s your nervous system picking up on red flags you might not even be able to explain.

🚀 It’s your inner knowing that birth isn’t just a process—it’s an experience that belongs to YOU.

And no degree, no hospital policy, and no medical title can override the wisdom of a woman who trusts herself.

🔥 What This Means for Your Birth

When faced with a decision, ask yourself:

✔ Am I feeling pressured, or am I feeling informed?

✔ Is this an urgent medical need, or do I have time to think?

✔ Do I truly feel comfortable with this choice?

🚀 Because the more you trust yourself, the more empowered your birth will be.

🌿 Reflection for Today

💡 Have you ever ignored your intuition and later regretted it?

💡 Do you feel comfortable questioning medical advice, or does it feel intimidating?

💡 What steps can you take to start trusting your instincts more?

Tomorrow, we’ll dive into the postpartum experience—what happens after birth, and what you need to know that no one talks about.

Because birth isn’t the finish line—it’s just the beginning.

6. Balancing Intuition with Medical Advice: How to Make Decisions You Feel Confident In

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