<<If a mom chooses to deliver in the hospital, what can she do to ensure
that she does not face all of the horrible interventions many of you have
spoken of?>>

Ensure? Nothing. Decrease likelihood? Lots. Choose your health care provider
carefully. Discuss philosophy, routines -vs- options, your expectations and
preferences. Take a good childbirth education class, practice what you and
your coach learn so that you can actually use those skills in labor.
Education and optimum coaching support/management of labor will decrease the
likelihood of interventions. In a hospital setting this can be a real
challenge for many husbands, even very willing ones. Depends on attitude,
commitment, prenatal prep, and healthcare provider support in labor, to name
a few. Most primip women have never even seen a film of a baby's birth much
less learned how to birth a baby from having attended births of their
sisters, aunts, neighbors. So they are starting from scratch. You may feel
more confident if you have an experienced support person to coach your coach.
This could be a friend or a doula you hire. This can make a big difference
for a woman experiencing her first labor in a hospital setting.

<<Because the majority of women still deliver in hospitals, shouldn't we be
helping them to be advocates for themselves?  Isn't this also an important
message to share?>>

Yes, I agree. Advocating for themselves prenatally and having a
knowledgeable, confident coach for labor, as the coach would probably be the
main advocate for the laboring woman in a hospital setting. No crystal ball
available tho, so learn about variations and contingencies, and prepare to be
flexible when truly indicated.

<<inconceivable that someone would give me an epidural against my
will.....please tell me that it won't happen!!)>>

It may not seem against your will at the time. You will be vulnerable at that
time unless you are receiving good labor support from those around you. So,
as the VBAC mom in the film "Magical Moments of Birth" says "take the horse
by the reins" and plan to do it your way.

<<How can breastfeeding advocates reach women *before* delivery to help them
to be successful *after* delivery (even when it is in ahospital)?>>

Through childbirth education for one.

Deb, ACCE