TORONTO — The group representing Canadian obstetricians and gynecologists says there should be fewer medical interventions used in low-risk pregnancies.

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada says doctors should be promoting "normal childbirth" to women who seem unlikely to undergo difficulties during delivery.

A new policy statement from the group says the number of medical interventions used in healthy pregnancies is on the rise and could be subjecting mothers and babies to risks they don't need to take.

It says health professionals are turning too quickly to interventions such as caesarean sections, induction of labour prior to 41 weeks of pregnancy, and the use of forceps or vacuum assistance during delivery.

The statement says doctors should only resort to these types of interventions when there is a valid reason, and should not use them when labour and birth are progressing normally.

Supporters of the statement include the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses of Canada, the Canadian Association of Midwives, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada.

"We are seeing a significant increase of medical intervention during childbirth, but there is a real concern that unnecessary interventions introduce risks for mother and baby that could be prevented," says Gisela Becker, president of the Canadian Association of Midwives.

"We want to be sure that women who are at low risk for complications receive adequate information and support to have a normal birth."