High Tech Interventions Overused says Study
Consumer Reports looks at a study that shows us that too many high tech procedures are being used for childbirth, leading to more problems than they are solving. Women are often unaware that they are having high tech procedures used for low risk pregnancies and what those risks are. So why are women being subjected to unnecessary technology? A past president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Douglas Laube, blames liability for the increase in unnecessary interventions in low risk women.
The bottom line for pregnant women, according to the Milbank Report is that "Childbearing women need to understand that maternity care that is routinely available often is not in the best interest of themselves and their babies. Pregnant women have the right and responsibility to become informed and make wise choices — for example, their choice of caregiver, birth setting and specific procedures, drugs and tests. Becoming informed and taking responsibility can be a big task — and can have very big pay-offs."
Some examples of the overused technologies include:
- Cesarean Section
- Episiotomy
- Epidural Anesthesia
- Electronic Fetal Monitoring
- Amniotomy (Breaking Water)
So what is a good consumer of health care to do about this mess? My advice is simple. Choose your practitioner wisely and be open to using a midwife, family practitioner or other practitioner who specializes in low risk pregnancies if you qualify. Give birth in a location that supports low risk women routinely and is prepared to help you manage pain with a variety of options like water birth, use of a doula, birth balls, etc. Get support for your labor and birth.
Related:
- Mistakes Made When Interviewing OBs and Midwives
- Labor and Birth Basics
- 10 Steps to Natural Childbirth
Photo © Allen Penton - Fotolia.com
Comments
I would add something to that- educate yourself. I feel like a lot of people go into pregnancy/birth/child care with less research than they would do for purchasing a new car or getting an exotic fish! Ok, so you have a good provider- ask questions and go home and do some more research. If they’re good they’ll be open to the questions and whatever you find in your researching.
Not only is the technology changing, but so is everything else. In the ten years since my son was born, they’ve come up with different guidelines for certain tests, added other tests and generally just become more involved.
I think some of the differences I’ve seen with this second pregnancy is the standard of care I’m getting. I’m seeing three midwives instead of being lumped in with whoever is there at the health clinic. They know me by name, know my history and are willing to spend the time with me to answer my questions as thoroughly and honestly as they can.
But they also admit to changes. I specifically brought up the risk of gestational diabetes with them because of how big my son was. On the second blood-sugar test I failed by two points, only because the parameters had changed in recent years. And last week I had a test to see if I would need antibiotics while I was in labor, something I’d never heard of ten years ago!
So I do think some of the changes are for the better, especially if it means a happier, healthier baby.