Birth Misconceptions: Myth and Fact

The Medicalization of Birth

Myth

Birth is too risky and dangerous to be allowed to occur naturally.

Fact

Childbirth is a highly evolved process that normally requires only the physical good health of the mother, adequate emotional support and privacy in labor, and the watchful attention of a skilled birth attendant. Given this, changing prevailing modern attitudes and practices regarding what is natural and normal in birth is essential.

Myth

No birth can be viewed as normal except in retrospect because pregnancy and birth are medical conditions.

Fact

The majority of complications in pregnancy are related to socio-economic factors (inadequate diet, drugs and environmental toxins, and psychological factors such as excessive stress, abuse or neglect).

Research shows that the majority of complications in labor can be anticipated prior to the onset of labor and most of them can be avoided or successfully handled without medical intervention if a woman comes to birth in good physical health with a positive mental attitude and is attended by a skilled birth attendant.