Precautionary Methods In Childbirth

Before the 1700 's, childbirth was primarily a domestic event, attended by midwives and female relatives. However, it has drastically changed as a technological approach to childbirth gained a momentum in the Western world. With each new technological invention, came new ways to test and analyze the process of a childbirth. The strong push towards utilizing precautionary medical procedures during childbirth - such as electronic fetal monitoring, amniocentesis, epidurals and C-section- and whether or not these medical interventions actually do a disservice to pregnant women and their childbirth experience is currently the topic of discussion It is agreed that in specific emergent situations, these precautionary methods are necessary as they …show more content…
As mentioned before, these medical interventions are often offered to women of middle and high class. They are in a socioeconomic position to afford them. They are also have an access to other alternative methods, but are manipulated by the medical personnel to seek a more hospitalized method to 1) maintain their authority and 2) seek monetary profit. Women of lower class and do not have an equal financial access to the adequate and effective maternity health care. Therefore, they are often neglected in the medical world and are forced to seek low-funded medical facilities. It was only after Congress enacted legislation to make Medicaid available to more women, which covered the obstetric care. At this point, physicians who were once disinterested in taking care of poor, pregnant women became more willing to do so as Medicaid covered the cost fees. Still women had to co-pay for any covered …show more content…
Are these medical interventions necessary for the wellbeing of mothers and babies? In fact, these interventions are often introduced without scientific evidence that demonstrate their effectiveness and necessity (Lariccia). The widespread “routine use of medical interventions during labor and birth has failed to improve the safety of childbirth for women who are at low risk for medical complications"(Jorsigian). Low-risk women may not even need any of medical interventions and can use other alternate methods such as midwifery, waterbirth and the like. However, the issue with medicalizing childbirth is that these alternate methods are not offered or discussed with pregnant women. Pregnant women need to take agency of their childbirth experiences and explore alternative birthing