An OB's Birth Plan

Needless to comment on the Doc's attitude..
However only a few of us have commented on the latest evidence about labor management and maternal fetal outcomes...
And why not coming back and show a good report study proving him that he may not only be wrong but also dangerous?

Just my 2 cents,, lets use the same weapons thy are shoving down our throats, as women, clients and.... nurses..

Congratulations!! I'm so glad you had the birth you wanted! I wish your birth experience were an option for more women. I think the only way things change is from consumer demand and if you think your former OB would be open to hearing about your great birth experience and might consider changes in his attitude it might be worthwhile to talk with him, as others have suggested. His attitude sounds pretty firm and entrenched, though, so I think he might just assume that you're one of the "lucky few" that have a normal birth, not that your birth is actually the way it could and should be nearly all of the time.

Poppy,

Good for you! So happy you and your baby had a safe and satisfying birth with midwives. To his credit, your former obstetrician believes in "truth in advertising" (though he provided it rather late in the game). Thank goodness he was up front with you so that you could see clearly which direction you were heading. Midwifery-led care is very safe--safer, according to the many published studies that are available--and is regarded as more satisfying by women who seek to take greater responsibility for their pregnancies.

All the best to you!

" I just strongly disagree w/ many of the ideas. It's been my experience that we cause more problems than we fix with all our interventions, well-intended though they may be."

His practices disempower the woman birthing her baby - as if it's all about him. The woman's body is more at risk from this type of delivery, and the poor passenger isn't well treated either. I disagree, I don't find his practices to be considered "good" - "accepted" perhaps... I'd love to see this "birth plan" shared with their local newspaper.
If you go to the AWHONN conference next year you'll be able to see a poster presentation by 2 of our clinical nurse leaders about a project called "Zero Birth Injury". Or you can go to http://www.fairview.org/ZeroBirthInjury/index.asp and read more.

HI went to the site, but I dont quite understand the purpose of the site, who barely explains its goals, perspectives and stategies to reach zero Birth injuries..
To start with, what kind of injuries? The ones due to iatrogenic and invasive interventions in hospitals or the unevitable accident that can happen to anyone at anytime and anywhere?

I would love more details and description of this iniative.