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As a doula I have learned about the "waterfall of interventions" One medical intervention and quickly lead to more and more. As these interventions add up a mother finds herself going down the slippery slope towards a cesarean section.

What can a mother do to make sure she does not find herself on the operating room table?

First she should take great care in researching the midwife or doctor that she chooses to assist her labor. There are many doctors who have shockingly high cesarean section rates. Find out how often your doctor's mothers have cesarean section. The national average in the USA is 30%, you should try to find a doctor who has rates much lower than that.

Also be firm against unnecessary interventions. Be firm, make sure your partner is prepared to stand up against some medical professionals who try to bully interventions on laboring women, and if you can hire a doula to assist your birth. Studies have shown that women who use a doula during their labor Fewer requests for epidurals and narcotics. Reduced use of pitocin, reduced duration of labor, fewer forceps deliveries, reduced use of vacuum extraction, and reduced cesarean section rates.

Often cesarean sections happen because labor has stalled or the baby is not moving as quickly as the doctors may like. Rather than accepting an immediate cesarean section there are several things you can try to help the labor move naturally. Often a change of position, walking or moving, or even just allowing the woman to labor in peace are all that is needed to restart labor. Remember that when a woman feels pressured or afraid her body will release hormones that stop the labor process. It is part of the "fight or flight" reflex. Allowing her to relax and taking the pressure off of her to labor by someone else's schedule can help her body to resume.

One sure way to avoid an unnecessary cesarean section is to give birth where that is not an immediate option. Choosing to give birth at a birthing center or at home means that there is no one able to push a cesarean section. Other ways of helping a laboring woman are them used, the majority of the time with wonderful effects.

A woman also needs to be aware that once a cesarean section does not mean always a cesarean section. Many studies have discovered that it is actually more dangerous to have a repeat cesarean section than to attempt vaginal birth. If your doctor or hospital is pushing for a repeat cesarean section contact The International Cesarean Awareness Network, or ICAN.

Learn more about this author, Summer Minor.
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