Obstetric Interventions

More information Induction Augmentation Active management Prostaglandins Artificial membrane rupture Fetal monitoring Forceps delivery Ventouse Episiotomy Caesarean section Cascade of Intervention Other Resources Useful Websites

These notes are taken from Preparing for Birth: Mothers by Andrea Robertson. We would recommend that you purchase a copy of this booklet, so that you have a hard copy to take with you to your pre-natal visits and to use for reference during labour and birth. The information below is copyrighted. All of this information is backed by reliable scientific research. This evidence can be found in a number of publications:

• A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Birth
• Pursuing the Birth Machine
• Obstetric Myths versus Research Realities
• Care in Normal Birth
• The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth

Obstetric interventions can be life-saving procedures for women and babies. Technological advances, in proved surgical techniques and better anaesthetics have ensured that the 20% of women who need this kind of help receive the best possible care.

Once the natural process of labour and birth has been disturbed, especially if there is no actual medical emergency, there is a significant risk that the unwelcome side effects of the treatment will make further intervention necessary to remedy the problem.

This phenomenon is known as the cascade of intervention and is illustrated in the diagram.

All the links shown have been proven by scientific research. To read the diagram, start with the intervention being considered and read downwards from that point. Click on the diagram to view a larger version.

The following obstetric intervensions will be considered in turn:

• Induction using an oxytocin drip
• Augmentation of labour
• Active management of third stage
• Prostaglandins
• Artificial rupture of the membranes
• Electronic fetal monitoring
• Forceps delivery
• Ventouse (vacuum extraction)
• Episiotomy
• Caesarean section