Birth is one of the most physiologically and psychologically intense experiences a human body undergoes, and how it unfolds has lasting effects on both parent and child that extend well beyond the immediate event. The medicalization of birth in the twentieth century saved lives and also introduced interventions that are frequently overused — understanding what is evidence-based versus routine is part of informed participation in birth planning. The quality of support during labor — emotional, physical, and relational — turns out to be one of the strongest predictors of outcomes across all types of birth settings.
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