Explaining obstetric interventionism: Technical skills, common conceptualisations, or collective countertransference?

Attitudes and Preferences of Young Women With Low and High Fear of Childbirth

“…Our findings support a phenomenon described by Cherniak and Fisher (2008), who lamented the emphasis on obstetric risk and risk scoring, which has moved care providers' and women's focus away from the normality of birth by contributing to an "atmosphere of expectant disaster" (p. 272). In the same vein, Kotaska (2007) argued that "obstetrics is becoming dominated by an imperative to avoid any definable risk, no matter how small" (p. 177).…”

Womens' attitudes and beliefs of childbirth and association with birth preference: A comparison of a Swedish and an Australian sample in mid-pregnancy

“…Even if such a woman has a stated preference for a normal birth, given the differences in authority between her and her treating doctor, she has little actual power in implementing a clinical decision. This is especially true should the preference of the medical team be at odds with her preference (Cherniak and Fisher, 2008). Bourgeault et al (2010) commented that in part, women are more likely to request a repeat caesarean than a primary caesarean because of the powerful influence of their clinicians, a finding also seen by Goodall et al (2009) andMcGrath et al (2010).…”

Roundtable Discussion: “No One Can Condemn You to a C‐Section!”

“…Many care providers may overestimate the true risks to their patients and underestimate the benefits of a trial of labor. However, a “collective counter‐transference” (1) also exists among obstetrical personnel, mistrusting women’s capabilities and motives. This point of view leads to an overdependence on technological solutions, some of which have been proved ineffective, and an underreliance on effective nontechnological interventions.…”