Episode 210 - It's bad but there's hope

The global over-medicalization of childbirth, marked by rising cesarean and induction rates, is fueling a crisis that necessitates a return to physiological birth and the expansion of the midwifery workforce. Research indicates that increasing access to midwifery care could reduce maternal and newborn deaths by 65% by 2030. Current maternity systems frequently employ "diagnosis creep," reclassifying normal physiological processes as pathological to justify unnecessary interventions. This systemic shift has led to the de-skilling of the profession, as many midwives now lack the opportunity to observe or support natural birth. Addressing this requires practitioners to prioritize evidence-based care, where interventions are only utilized when clear medical indications exist. By reclaiming the core definition of midwifery—which centers on partnership and the promotion of normal birth—clinicians can effectively counter the trend toward over-intervention and ensure better outcomes for mothers and infants worldwide.