Obstetric interventions can be life-saving procedures for women and babies. Technological advances, improved surgical techniques and better anesthetics have ensured that the small percentage  of women who need this kind of help receive the best possible care.  

Once the natural process of labor and birth has been disturbed, especially if there is no actual medical emergency, there is a significant risk that the unwelcome side effects of the treatment will make further intervention necessary to remedy the problem. This phenomenon is known as the cascade of intervention and is illustrated in the diagram below.

All the links shown have been proven

by scientific research.

To read the diagram, start with the intervention

being considered and read downwards from that point.

Graphic courtesy of  http://www.acegraphics.com.au/parents/obstetric/

HOME