OBGYN Doctors

In the United States, OBGYN doctors are the traditional birth attendants as they handle the majority of births.

Amongst birth attendants, is an OBGYN truly the best and safest choice? The answer may surprise you.

OBGYN Doctors

While an OBGYN** goes through years of training, and obviously deserves a lot of respect, research has shown that he may not be the safest caregiver to have at your birth.

**Since the ratio of OBGYN doctors is 60:40 male to female, we refer to such a doctor as a male.

Most health practitioners - if they are honest - will readily admit that for most women - over 95% - child birth requires little to no interventions.

We know this may come as a surprise.

It certainly was for us!

OBGYN doctors spent years in medical schoolfocusing exclusively on the 5%, the "what ifs", which for most women will never occur.

An OBGYN is first and foremost a surgeon.

Yes, that's right...a surgeon.

Surgeons do not go through 12 years of training just to sit by a laboring woman, who only requires his support and encouragement. That would be like you training as an Olympian runner just for a walk in the park.

OBGYN doctors go to school so that - one day - they can use their surgical skills on someone...

...and that someone is usually a pregnant woman.

Doctors are not evil. They are however a product of years of training in "abnormal" pregnancies.

Natural childbirth requires little of this type of intervention.

In her book "The American Way of Birth", Jessica Mitford describes the research of sociologist Dr. Diana Scully.

In the mid-70s, Dr. Scully spent 3 years as an observer in two hospitals with training programs in obstetrics and gynecology. To quote Ms. Mitford:

The residents expressed a desire to do as many interventions as possible - i.e., forceps deliveries, C-sections, etc. - knowing that they would need those skills in private practice.

Are you thinking - as we are - "guinea pig"?

Dr. Gregory J. White MD., in his book "Emergency Childbirth: A Manual", said:

He is also quoted to say:

Family Practitioners

Family practitioners can certainly also attend a birth. They tend to intervene less, since unlike OBGYNs, they are not trained to do surgery.

The study done in Madera County, California will show that they are a very good alternative to an OBGYN.

It is very important that YOU feel comfortable with your attendant.

May we give one word of caution?

If you do choose a doctor - rather than a midwife - he will most likely not be the one who will be with you during your labor. You will be at the mercy of the Labor and Delivery Nurses.

L and D nurses are trained AND expected to enforce hospital policies and procedures not your birth plan. Moreover, if your doctor is in practice with other physicians, he may not be the one who will attend your birth.

So ask lots of questions!

And get everything in writing. Make lots of copies and make sure it is in your chart at the hospital as well as in the bag you will take with you.

Is There a Third Option?

Yes, there is!

A midwife is another option.

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