The Downside To Giving Birth In The U.S.

This first one is so true.

1. Doctors over midwives.

This one just makes sense. For low-risk, healthy pregnancies, there is just no reason why doctors should be the primary care providers. Much like the uncomplicated things you see a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician’s Assistant for in the office, for uncomplicated pregnancies and births, Nurse Midwives should be the ones overseeing the care. Every single country where women see midwives for low-risk pregnancies and births displays better outcomes for both mothers and babies. In the U.S., over 3.5. million births are overseen by a doctor, while only 320,000 are with a nurse-midwife.

2. Options for pain control.

In the U.S., the majority of women giving birth vaginally choose an epidural for their pain control during labor. But, there aren’t always a lot of other reliable, effective options, and let’s face it — epidurals are significantly easier on the healthcare staff taking care of a laboring women.

But we shouldn’t limit ourselves with what we know and what’s convenient. There are many other effective options for pain control that we don’t necessarily see here in the states. Exhibit A: laughing gas. This method is popular in Europe and Canada because it’s temporary (the effects pretty much wear off instantly), completely patient-controlled, and very cost-effective. And there are no proven side effects on mom or baby. When can we get some?

Epidurals are a sensitive subject for a lot of women. So many women go into labor and delivery wanting to have a natural birth and, for one reason or another, it just doesn't work out.

Curious what else she has to say? You can keep reading her list on Babble. When you're finished, leave a comment and share with us what you think needs to change for women giving birth in the U.S.