Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 45, Issue 4 , Pages 302-306, December 2006

Are Routine Interventions Necessary in Normal Birth?

  • Chen-Yu Chen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Kuo-Gon Wang

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Kuo-Gon Wang, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, 92, Section 2, Chung-Shan North Road, Taipei 104, Taiwan

Accepted 2 August 2006.

Article Outline

Summary

Routine interventions during labor and birth, such as perineal shaving and enemas before vaginal delivery, continuous intrapartum electronic fetal monitoring (EFM), and episiotomy are prevalent in Taiwan, but they may not always be necessary. Numerous studies investigating these interventions have failed to find absolute benefits for women with uncomplicated and low-risk pregnancies. No evidence-based benefits support routine perineal shaving or enemas during labor for reducing the risk of perineal wound infection or neonatal infection. The use of EFM is associated with an increased rate of operative interventions (vacuum, forceps, cesarean delivery) but does not result in a significant decrease in the incidence of perinatal death or cerebral palsy. Routine episiotomy does not have demonstrable advantages over restrictive episiotomy in the frequency or severity of perineal damage or pelvic relaxation.

Key Words:  electronic fetal monitoring , enema , episiotomy , perineal shaving

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PII: S1028-4559(09)60247-3

doi:10.1016/S1028-4559(09)60247-3

Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 45, Issue 4 , Pages 302-306, December 2006

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