Has the medicalisation of childbirth gone too far?

摘要

Obstetricians play an important role in preserving lives when there are complications of pregnancy or labour. In developed countries, however, obstetrician involvement and medical interventions have become routine in normal childbirth, without evidence of effectiveness. Factors associated with increased obstetric intervention seem to include private practice, medicolegal pressures, and not involving women fully in decision making. Emerging evidence suggests that higher rates of normal births are linked to beliefs about birth, implementation of evidence based practice, and team working.