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Unnecessary Interventions in Childbirth

 

            The process of birth shouldn't be viewed as a medical procedure. Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time, and for centuries, they delivered their children without intervention from medical practitioners. Doctors shouldn't intervene with the process of childbirth unless something goes medically wrong with the mother or infant. Unfortunately, doctors are more likely to encourage C-sections, inductions, and administer unnecessary drugs.
             In the early nineties, ten percent of all labors were induced and by 2003, it was more than double that amount (21%).(C Section Aftershocks) The only medically necessary reason for a woman to be induced for labor is for the health and safety of her or the baby.
             The rate for cesarean delivery is between thirty and fifty percent(C Section Aftershocks), and the majority of these are completely unnecessary. The two most common times for delivery by cesarean are 4:00 pm and 10 pm. Note that these hours are directly before the close of a work shift. The most common day for cesarean procedures is Thursday, ensuring that the delivery process is over before the weekend - meaning that the lead doctor will not be called in on Saturday or Sunday. Doctors want to schedule c-sections and inductions because it is more convenient and beneficial to them, and, the more delivery equipment they're able to use, the more money they're able to bill the insurance companies. Labor and delivery is a fifty billion dollar a year industry (C Section Aftershocks).
             While Csections are thought by many to be safer than vaginal birth, caesarean actually has many more dangers involved. With c sections women risk decreased fertility, increased chance of miscarriage in further pregnancies and a higher chance of having to give birth by caesarean in future pregnancies ( C Section Aftershock). Whereas natural delivery releases the hormone prolactin which promotes healthy lung functioning, delivery by c section can lead to later respiratory infections and an increased chance of food allergies.


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