Not much I can add to this well written story in Slate. I thought the writer did an excellent job of reporting on this sad tale. Please read and comment here. Thanks, Dr. F
http://www.slate.com/id/2293389/pagenum/all/#p2
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke, 18th century Philospher.
"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of it being right." Thomas Paine
"The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus
"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of it being right." Thomas Paine
"The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus
"Choice is the essence of ethics: if there were no choice there would be no ethics, no good, no evil; good and evil have meaning only insofar as man is free to choose." Margaret Thatcher, March 14, 1977
Explaining the Cause
Summary of what is happening now.
I am a practicing obstetrician who is a strong supporter of patients rights to informed consent and refusal. I believe a patient has the right to choose her own path given true and not skewed informed consent. Following that tenet, just as a woman should be able to choose to have an elective c/section she should be able to choose not to have one, as well. The American system of hospital based obstetric practice has been eroding those choices for women for quite some time. Due to concerns of economics, expediency and fears of litigation women are being coerced to make choices that may not be in their best interest.
I have had a long relationship collaborating with midwives and find the midwifery model of care to be evidenced based and successful. I was well trained at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the mid 80's to perform breech deliveries, twin deliveries, operative vaginal deliveries and VBACs, and despite evidence supporting their continued value, hospitals are "banning" these options. Organized medicine is also doing its best to restrict the availability of access to midwives.
This scenario is happening all over the country. Small practices with small voices are being coerced. The purpose of this blog is to reach out for support and to gather together as one loud, unshakable voice. To do this will require a coordinated effort and I will need your help. Please ask questions of your local hospitals, write letters to support or protest what they are doing, write your legislators, contact the media and send me your ideas. A grass roots effort against large forces will require a united effort. I believe the health of the future mothers in our country is worth it. Thank you, Dr. F
I am a practicing obstetrician who is a strong supporter of patients rights to informed consent and refusal. I believe a patient has the right to choose her own path given true and not skewed informed consent. Following that tenet, just as a woman should be able to choose to have an elective c/section she should be able to choose not to have one, as well. The American system of hospital based obstetric practice has been eroding those choices for women for quite some time. Due to concerns of economics, expediency and fears of litigation women are being coerced to make choices that may not be in their best interest.
I have had a long relationship collaborating with midwives and find the midwifery model of care to be evidenced based and successful. I was well trained at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the mid 80's to perform breech deliveries, twin deliveries, operative vaginal deliveries and VBACs, and despite evidence supporting their continued value, hospitals are "banning" these options. Organized medicine is also doing its best to restrict the availability of access to midwives.
This scenario is happening all over the country. Small practices with small voices are being coerced. The purpose of this blog is to reach out for support and to gather together as one loud, unshakable voice. To do this will require a coordinated effort and I will need your help. Please ask questions of your local hospitals, write letters to support or protest what they are doing, write your legislators, contact the media and send me your ideas. A grass roots effort against large forces will require a united effort. I believe the health of the future mothers in our country is worth it. Thank you, Dr. F
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
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I'm just appalled that not all states have licensing for midwives. I'm an aspiring midwife myself and I am now motivated to check if the state I currently reside in is one that does. I agree that the court system needs to be aware of the true realities of birthing. Sometimes it's just an act of God and no one is to blame. I sure hope this does nothing to discourage women or midwives from having safe, natural births.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, though, she should've called 911 immediately instead of 13 minutes later, but that's just my opinion..