First do no harm: interventions during childbirth

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal Health
• Nursing Education

Background:

• Medical advances have reduced maternal and infant mortality.
• Interventions in maternity care are often routine, not always indicated.
• Routine interventions can medicalize childbirth, increasing risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the risks of routine intrapartum interventions.
• To advocate for promoting natural childbirth processes.
• To emphasize the importance of informed consent and alternative choices in maternity care.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on intrapartum interventions and their consequences.
• Analysis of the shift from physiologic childbirth to medical procedures.
• Discussion on the role of nurse educators and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Main Results:

• Overuse of interventions can lead to unintended consequences and iatrogenic risks.
• Childbirth is increasingly viewed as a medical procedure rather than a natural process.
• There is a need for policies supporting informed consent and patient choice.

Conclusions:

• Nurse educators must collaborate with other professionals to promote natural childbirth.
• Advocacy for informed consent and alternative choices is essential.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is key to ensuring "first do no harm" in intrapartum care.