Episode 6: Giving Birth & Birth Interventions
Welcome
Hosted by Olivia Moir, Episode 6 of It All Starts Here explores the topic of birth interventions, with a focus on assisted vaginal birth and the use of forceps. Olivia speaks with Dr Dawn Parris, a Clinical Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UCL/UCLH and a PhD researcher, about the different methods of giving birth, how decisions are made in the delivery room, and innovations in training obstetricians.
This episode provides valuable insight into the complexities and nuances of birth choices, the role of education and technology in maternal healthcare, and why listening to and informing women is crucial in obstetric practice.
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TRANSCRIPT
Speakers:
Host: Olivia Moir
Guest: Dr Dawn Parris
[00:00] Olivia Moir:
Hello everyone, and welcome back to It All Starts Here, a podcast focused on communication and education in reproductive science and women’s health. I’m your host, Olivia Moir. Today we’re coming to you from the Institute for Women’s Health at UCL, and we’re diving into the topic of giving birth — specifically, birth interventions — with the wonderful Dr. Dawn Parris.
[00:23] Olivia Moir:
Dr. Parris is a Clinical Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UCL/UCLH, currently undertaking a PhD focused on forceps as a method of assisted vaginal birth. We’ll be exploring the types of birth interventions, how they’re used, and the pros and cons of each.
[01:04] Olivia Moir:
Let’s start from the beginning — where did it all start for you, Dawn?
[01:17] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Thanks for having me. I was inspired by strong female role models — my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. I always knew I wanted to work with women, and obstetrics and gynaecology felt like a perfect blend of hands-on, practical work and meaningful impact.
[01:55] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Initially, I never planned to pursue a PhD. But when I saw this research project on rotational births and forceps — one of my favourite practical skills — it felt like the perfect opportunity. Three years in, I’m so glad I took it on.
[03:28] Olivia Moir:
Let’s define the types of birth interventions. What are the main methods of giving birth?
[03:34] Dr. Dawn Parris:
There are three main ways: spontaneous vaginal birth, assisted vaginal birth (with forceps or suction), and caesarean section. Assisted vaginal births are more common than many people realise — especially among first-time mothers.
[04:55] Olivia Moir:
Why do you think assisted births are so common, yet not often discussed?
[05:22] Dr. Dawn Parris:
There’s a strong cultural preference for spontaneous birth, which is great, but sometimes assistance is needed — whether due to labour slowing, fetal distress, maternal exhaustion, or medical conditions that limit pushing. These are all legitimate reasons for intervention.
[06:24] Olivia Moir:
So, how are these choices made? Are there best options?
[06:41] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Women are always given options, but clinical circumstances often guide the most suitable method. For example, forceps may be better than suction if there’s swelling on the baby’s head or if the baby is higher in the pelvis. Pain relief also plays a role in the decision.
[08:58] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Our goal is to avoid needing multiple instruments or a failed attempt, which can increase risk to both mother and baby — including in future pregnancies.
[10:19] Olivia Moir:
There’s not much public understanding of those long-term effects. Can you speak more on that?
[10:59] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Right. A caesarean birth at full dilation carries greater risks in future pregnancies — like miscarriage or preterm birth. So we try to support successful assisted births when possible to avoid these.
[11:29] Olivia Moir:
Tell us more about obstetrician training in the UK. How do you learn these skills?
[11:38] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Training starts on models, then progresses to supervised real-life procedures. My research focuses on improving this training — we’re developing robotic simulators and virtual reality tools that provide real-time feedback, helping clinicians learn safely and effectively.
[15:45] Dr. Dawn Parris:
We’re also using sensor gloves to understand how force is applied during manual rotation. The goal is to improve safety for both mother and baby.
[17:04] Olivia Moir:
It’s amazing how much tech has evolved. I’d love to see this in action!
[17:33] Dr. Dawn Parris:
We’d love to have you visit the lab. Obstetrics is slow to innovate, but these tools are a big step forward in making labour and delivery safer.
[18:25] Olivia Moir:
Why is baby positioning so important?
[19:07] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Position affects the size and angle at which the baby’s head enters the birth canal. If they’re facing the wrong way, it can increase complications and the need for intervention.
[21:40] Olivia Moir:
What are the pros and cons of caesarean births?
[22:03] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Caesareans are sometimes necessary and life-saving, but they come with longer recovery times, risks in future pregnancies, and surgical complications. Maternal request is increasingly respected, but we must also communicate the potential risks.
[27:00] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Caesareans at full dilation are increasing as fewer obstetricians feel confident in assisted births. That’s why training is so important.
[28:47] Olivia Moir:
Some people choose caesareans due to fear of pain. What’s your perspective?
[29:42] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Education is key — not just during pregnancy, but earlier in life. We need to normalize conversations about birth so women can make informed decisions.
[31:28] Olivia Moir:
Are there misconceptions you often hear?
[31:48] Dr. Dawn Parris:
A big one is fear of forceps or ventouse. No one plans for assisted birth, but these are safe, important options that can prevent more serious interventions.
[33:14] Olivia Moir:
Thank you so much for joining us, Dawn. This has been incredibly informative.
[33:16] Dr. Dawn Parris:
Thank you for having me!