06/12/2025
Routine birth practices: Necessary care or unnecessary intervention? 🤔 It's important to understand the procedures commonly used in labor—like e***as, automatic IV fluids, and restrictions on eating/drinking—and ask if they are truly medically indicated for you. Informed consent starts with informed knowledge!
⁉️ *Routine E***a Usage* , giving an e***a to empty the bowels early in labor.
▶️ There is no strong evidence proving it reduces infection risk or prevents "accidents" during pushing.
⁉️*Automatic and Unnecessary IV Fluids* , Placing an IV line and administering fluids (like normal saline or Lactated Ringer's) by default, even without a clear medical need (e.g., dehydration, specific medication administration)
It can restrict mobility, potentially dilute labor-inducing hormones (like oxytocin), and may lead to fluid retention/swelling in both mother and baby.
▶️ Alternative: Saline lock (hep lock) provides access if needed but allows freedom of movement.
⁉️ *Restriction of Nourishment and Water* , preventing a laboring person from eating or drinking anything (NPO - nil per os) beyond small sips of water or ice chips.
The historical fear of aspiration under general anesthesia is largely outdated, as epidurals and local anesthesia are now standard. Labor is intense; energy (calories) and hydration are needed to sustain it.
▶️ Alternative: Allow light, clear fluids and easily digestible snacks, especially in early labor.
⁉️ *Early Rupture of Membranes (AROM)* without Medical Indication, Artificially breaking the water (amniotomy) early in labor simply to "speed things up," often without a clear medical reason like placing an internal monitor.
It commits the baby to birth within a specific timeframe, increases the risk of infection (as the barrier is removed), and may increase the intensity of contractions, leading to more pain or reliance on further interventions (like pitocin).
▶️ Alternative: Allow membranes to rupture naturally; the amniotic fluid continues to protect the baby and the umbilical cord.