What making an informed decision really looks like in pregnancy

We all want to make the best choices for our babies, but that leaves a lot open for interpretation. How can we know what the ‘best choice’ is?  

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Informed decision-making in pregnancy feels easier said than done. The ‘go with your gut’ sentiment can only get you so far when your instincts feel elusive and uncertain. It can only take one strongly worded social media video to make us question ourselves.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to make an informed decision using a real example: the maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.

It’s new to the National Immunisation Program, it’s recommended in pregnancy, and it’s prompted some fair questions – is it safe? Is it necessary? How does it work?

Let’s get into it.

Start with what matters to you

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When you’re pregnant, everyone has an opinion. Your sister-in-law. Your best friend. That stranger in the fruit aisle. Sometimes, their advice is gold and exactly what you need to hear. But there will also be times when you wish a ‘mute’ button was on offer.

Before you go deep into research or get lost in a whirlwind of advice, take a quiet moment to ask yourself: what really matters to me during this pregnancy?

For most of us, it comes down to wanting to give our baby the best possible start, to keep them healthy, safe, and happy. Every decision, big or small, circles back to that.

A clear sense of what’s important to you can help navigate the noise. It becomes an anchor when you’re faced with the next decision, whatever that may be.

It might also be useful to write down a few guiding words, like safe, supported, and prepared, to remind you what matters when your brain goes in five different directions. 

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Curate, don’t consume

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The amount of information out there is wild, from clicky headlines and vivacious podcast hosts to fiery social media debates and vents on mum forums. It’s so easy to go from ‘I’ll just have a quick look’ to ‘why have I been reading about birth injuries for two hours?’

Here’s a little mantra for you: curate, don’t consume. Choose a few trusted, evidence-based sources like your health professional, government health sites, and maybe one or two parenting voices you trust, and stick with them.

This is especially important with new information like the maternal RSV vaccine. There’s a lot of conversation and opinions, but professionals are the best people to listen to.

For instance, we know from medical experts that RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a leading cause of hospitalisation in babies under six months, and that the maternal vaccine helps pass protective antibodies from mum to baby before birth. 

Hence, the maternal RSV vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program and recommended at 28-36 weeks pregnancy by top health professionals across Australia.

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Ask questions - even the ‘silly’ ones

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You are absolutely allowed to ask questions, and there’s no need to apologise. Whether it’s about a scan, a supplement, or a vaccine—it’s your body, your baby, and it’s your right to feel informed.

If you’re unsure about something like the maternal RSV vaccine, speak to your health professional and ask:

• How does it work?
• What are the risks and benefits?
• How does it protect my baby?
• Is it safe during pregnancy?

A good GP or midwife will never shut down your questions. They’ll welcome them and walk you through the answers, pressure-free.

Be curious about your emotions

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Your feelings are valid, and often there for a reason. At the same time, it’s worth getting curious about what they’re telling you.

Sometimes a certain decision might spark hesitation or discomfort, even when the information in front of you says it’s safe or recommended. 

Instead of putting that feeling in the driver’s seat, ask why it’s there. Is it based on something you’ve read? A past experience? A fear of getting it wrong?

Take the maternal RSV vaccine, for example. It’s unfamiliar to some of us.

But this doesn’t mean it was rushed or under-researched. This vaccine has been through years of development, clinical trials, and safety checks. Its been thoroughly reviewed and approved and is now part of the National Immunisation Program because it gives real, proven protection to babies when they’re most vulnerable.

So if you’re unsure, that’s not a sign to shut the door on the idea. It’s an invitation to ask more questions. Sit with the feeling, listen to it, then seek out credible information that can help you move forward with clarity.

Weigh up both sides

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When you’re stuck on a decision, try asking: what are the risks of doing this? What are the risks of not doing it?

It’s a helpful way to balance fear with facts. 

With something like the maternal RSV vaccine, you might worry about side effects (which are typically mild, if any), but it’s also worth asking, ‘what happens if my baby does get RSV?’

The vaccine protects babies for their first few months when they are most at risk of serious illness. Maternal vaccination is so important and it’s one of the ways you can protect them from serious RSV disease while their immune systems are still developing. 

This thought process can bring clarity when you’re pulled in different directions.

Talk it out

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Pregnancy can feel lonely when you’re sitting with a big decision. So talk it out with your partner, your midwife, your sister, your health professional, or whoever you trust.

It’s grounding to hear your own thoughts out loud, and getting a range of calm, informed perspectives can help you feel more confident. You don’t need a full committee (that’d be a bit intimidating), but a sounding board can be gold.

You’re not the only one wondering about things like the maternal RSV vaccine. Lots of parents are asking the same questions, weighing the same options, and choosing to protect their babies from day one. 

Final thoughts

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So, what does making an informed decision in pregnancy really look like? 

It looks like asking questions, sitting with uncertainty, balancing the facts with your feelings, talking it through, and taking time.

Whether you’re deciding on a birth plan, a test, or the maternal RSV vaccine, we hope this guide helps you do what’s best for you and your little one. 

Sources

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Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine in pregnancy, April 2025

Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Immunisation for pregnancy, April 2025

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Frequently asked questions (FAQs), March 2025