What to Know About Interventions in Hospital Birth

How to navigate hospital interventions with clarity and confidence.

Many people assume interventions begin with IVs and monitors — but they often start much earlier, in subtle and routine ways. Knowing this helps you spot patterns, ask better questions and stay rooted in your preferences before decisions are made for you. This isn’t about saying no to everything — it’s about staying connected to your values and making choices that feel right for you, from pregnancy through postpartum.

Common Hospital Interventions & Alternatives

In birth, an intervention is any action or procedure used to monitor, manage or alter the natural course of labor and delivery. Some interventions are necessary and lifesaving. Others may be routine, policy-driven or offered out of habit — not because something is wrong.

Common interventions in hospital births include:

• Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM)

• Labor induction (using medications like Pitocin or procedures like membrane stripping)

• Artificial rupture of membranes (breaking your water)

• Epidural anesthesia

• IV fluids and restrictions on food and drink

• Limited mobility during labor

• Vaginal exams to check cervical dilation

• Episiotomy

• Vacuum or forceps-assisted delivery

• Cesarean section (C-section)

• Immediate cord clamping

• Separation of baby and parent for routine procedures

Learn what each intervention is, when it’s truly indicated, and which interventions are optional. The more informed you are, the better prepared you’ll be to navigate decisions with confidence and clarity — even in the moment.

Interventions Don’t Start at the Hospital

A common misconception is that interventions begin only once you’re admitted to the hospital, but many begin during pregnancy. Some customary pre-hospital interventions may include:

• A provider recommends scheduling labor induction without a clear medical reason

• Frequent cervical checks in late pregnancy

• Stripping of membranes

• Recommendations for early inductions based on non-emergent reasons (i.e., convenience or provider preference)

• Prescriptions for growth scans or non-stress tests without clear clinical indication

• Pressure to schedule cesareans based on suspected large baby or prior birth timing

• Statements such as “I can’t let you birth vaginally after 40 weeks” that may introduce fear or pressure without individualized risk assessment

Speaking outside of a strictly clinical context, society’s orientation toward birth can also serve as a sort of “social intervention”: offhand comments from well-meaning friends or relatives, social content, or even casual questions and remarks from neighbors... These informal “interventions” can subtly influence your decisions and sow doubt, often without you realizing it. Recognizing these influences is just as important as understanding the clinical ones — and just as worthy of thoughtful reflection and investigation.

Before agreeing to any intervention, ask questions (can this be said enough?). You deserve to understand why it’s being suggested, what your alternatives are and how it may affect your birth.

We suggest following the BRAINS Protocol. When you’re faced with a decision in labor, the BRAINS acronym can help you slow down and explore your options:

• B — What are the Benefits?

• R — What are the Risks?

• A — Are there Alternatives?

• I — What does your Intuition say?

• N — What happens if we do Nothing right now?

• S — Ask for Space or Support if needed.

This tool can help you stay centered and collaborative, even in moments that feel rushed. You can use it yourself, or your birth partner or doula can help guide the conversation using these prompts.

ACOG suggests asking:

• Why are you recommending this?

• What are the risks of waiting?

• What’s the process like, and how long might it take?

• What happens if it doesn’t work? (Or consider: “What are my options if this procedure doesn’t work?)

• Can we try natural methods first? (Or consider: “I’d like to try natural methods first.”)

• Is my cervix ready? (Note: this only applies if you have agreed to cervical checks, which are considered an intervention).

• Can I go home and come back later? (Or consider: “In your medical opinion, is it safe to go home and come back later?”)

• What are my options if I decline?

Just keep in mind, these questions are worded from the perspective of the gynecologist. Know your rights, know your options, and stand by them. “Can we try” can become “I’d like to try.” Unless you find yourself in an emergency situation, you can always request space and time before you decide.

If your provider is unable or unwilling to walk you through this, it may be a red flag.

The “Intervention Cascade”

Keep in mind: an intervention doesn’t always go according to plan — one intervention often leads to another. For example, a medical induction may lead to stronger contractions, which increase pain, prompting an epidural. That can slow labor, leading to more interventions to speed it back up — and possibly, a C-section.

This doesn’t mean all interventions are bad — many are life-saving. But unnecessary or poorly explained interventions can disrupt your experience and increase your risk of complications. That’s why preparation matters.