This increasing medicalization of childbirth processes tends to undermine the woman’s own capability to give birth and negatively impacts her childbirth experience. In addition, the increasing use of labor interventions in the absence of clear indications continues to widen the health equity gap between high- and low-resource settings.
-WHO International

ACOGs recommendations for labor:

Birthgivers that go into labor naturally may not require continuous intravenous fluid during admission
Most birthgivers should be allowed to move freely without recommending specific positions
Care can be specifically individualized for birthgivers with a low-risk pregnancy, in spontaneous labor, where baby is in a head down position.
Continuous 1:1 emotional support (ie doula) to improve birth outcomes
Option of intermittent monitoring of baby using a hand-held device should be available for low-risk pregnancies
Interventions should match the needs & preferences of the birthgiver

ACOG Recommendations for managing early labor:

If birthgiver & baby are doing well, admission to labor and delivery can be delayed
Use of alternative methods of pain relief that do not include pain medication
Frequent contact & support of birthgiver
Observe (not admit) birthgivers that present with complaints of pain or fatigue
Encourage drinking fluids, comfortable positions, and hydrotherapy

Goal: no interventions take place during early labor (if birthgiver & baby are doing fine). Interventions during early labor potentially led to multiple interventions occurring throughout the course of labor.

We will go over 2 of the most common interventions in the hospital, induction & electronic fetal monitoring (EFM). Education is key in making shared decisions with your care provider.