Digital Book Discontinued Birth Choices v1.1 | Page 11

Approaches to Birth
Medically Managed Birth
Medically managed birth involves using technology, tools and medications to prevent, diagnose
and treat complications. Common examples include labor induction (starting labor medically) and
augmentation (speeding up labor), as well as pain medication (narcotics or epidural).
Advantages:
• Allows close monitoring for high-risk
situations or health concerns.
• Provides readily available technology for
emergencies or sudden complications.
• Allows more control over timing of the birth
(as in a scheduled induction or cesarean).
• Can control or lower pain levels.
Disadvantages:
• Interventions can introduce extra risk.
• Risks the potential of a “cascade” effect,
where one intervention leads into others.
• Can limit mobility or control over your body.
Navigating Medical Birth:
• You have many choices. Don’t be afraid to
ask questions about options and alternatives.
• Hire a doula. Doula support is beneficial for
all kinds of births.
Weighing Options
What appeals to you about this approach?
What are your concerns?
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Discussions about plans and goals for birth often consist of “choosing” between the physiologic and
medical approaches, but this oversimplifies a more complex decision-making process regarding the use
of interventions. Elements of both approaches can work together. To make a decision to use or decline
an intervention, it is helpful to weigh:
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the reasons* for using the intervention
the seriousness of the situation
your preferences
your provider’s recommendation
current evidence (research on benefits/risks)
*Interventions are used for a variety of
reasons. Among the most common are:
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hospital or birth center policy
preference or policy of the care provider
preference of the parents
to monitor a situation
to prevent a possible complication
to treat an existing complication
Step 2: Know Your Options and Preferences
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