Interventions: Just Say NO.

Interventions can often build on one another. I feel this is something VERY important for all women to be informed of prior to them giving birth. For example, if you wanted to have a natural birth, and later need to be induced, you may then need pain medication for your very rapid onset of labor because your body had no time to warm up to the powerful contractions. This may mean you get an epidural to relieve discomfort. After you have an epidural, you may loose feeling in your pelvis and also not feel an urge to push during the second stage. If your pushing proves ineffective, it may become necessary for a cesarean section. Obviously, this does not happen all of the time. Yet with one medical intervention in the beginning, it becomes increasingly difficult  to avoid others later on. Be sure to ask lots of questions anytiime an intervention is suggested.

Here is an acronym to help you remember to use your BRAIN:

What are the BENEFITS of doing what you recommend?

What are the RISKS involved?

What are the ALTERNATIVES?

What does my INTUITION tell me?

What happens if we do NOTHING?

If you cannot remember that, or don't have it written down to remember during labor, at least remember to ask:

IS THIS MEDICALLY NECESSARY?

When you ask this question, the hospital will be liable to tell you if the intervention is actually necessary (in their opinion) to save your life or the life of the baby. Asking questions will help you to feel in control of what is happening at your birth. If you would not like interventions offered to you unless it is an emergency, write it in your birth plan, or... even better, make a sign for the door that says, "Please do not offer me medications or interventions." And sign your name at the bottom.