We need to address many of these unnecessary intervention issues in
childbirth classes.
Remember the idea of empowerment?  Empower women with the knowledge that they
were made to birth and nurse children and that they, within reason, have a
right to refuse any treatment, and change will occur.
I strongly encourage every pregnant couple to arrive at the hospital with a
well thought out BIRTH PLAN.
I feel fortunate to work at a medical center whose OB staff is primarily
nurse-midwives. The problem we see is that women walk in and demand an
epidural. Because of this problem I was asked to discourage epidural's in the
hospital orientation class I teach. I begin by saying that nothing is without
risks and tell them that an epidural isn't a simple shot, there is a catheter
threaded into the spine next to the spinal cord. I give them the limits of
the epidural, including the fact that some do not take, they may interfer
with pushing etc.  I mention that LC's have seen feeding problems associated
with epidurals. Caution has to be used when questions are asked to make sure
that I don't overstep my bounds or scare them to death!  I do go through the
reasons an epidural might be needed, including CS.  I end the discussion by
telling everyone who is thinking about an epidural to make an appointment
with the annesthesia department to discuss the risks and benefits of
epidurals. (because labor is no time to discuss anything) I also tell them to
ask for the worst case senario. So far about 50% have made appointments.
Unfortunately, the number of epidurals is only slightly down. But it's a
start :-)