Re: gional Physician Backup for Homebirths
From: Jennifer (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 31 Jul 2000 10:42:49 -0500 (CDT)
you don't have the right to insist that a
>physician participate in something that he or she adamantly opposes.
William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG
>Clarksville, TN
I would have to agree that I do not have the right to insist that anyone
do anything that they oppose. Not only do I not have the right, but I
do not have the authority. I am simply dreaming that one day doctors
will respect the fact that patients should have some control over their
bodies and the decisions that they make. I am not directing my anger at
you or holding you responsible for past experiences, but I just don't
believe that the medical profession always knows best. The medical
attitude seems to be "INTERVENE, INTERVENE, INTERVINE!!!!"....sometimes
that only causes problems. There is a time and a place for medicine,
but it is not always necessary. Doctors can advise against hombirths,
but if the concern for the safety of the mother and baby is genuine why
be unwilling to take an emergency. This seems parallel to abortions.
When they were illegal people did it anyway and it was a lot more
dangerous.
At Wed, 26 Jul 2000, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>
>At Wed, 26 Jul 2000, Jennifer wrote:
>>
>>I am looking for information on gaining community support for a
>>homebirth. I have done my homework and feel very strongly about having
>>my second baby at home. The only midwife in my area will only take
>>clients who can find a physician backup for the event of an emergency
>>hospital transport. Her few experiences with local emergency rooms have
>>been too abusive for her to continue without the support of a doctor.
>>The OB's that I have contacted are adomandtly against homebirths. Does
>>anyone have any regional information on potential doctors, in Charleston
>>County, South Carolina, that may be willing to back up a homebirth. Also
>>any ideas on how to pursuade the profession that although complications
>>can occur childbirth is a natural process of the body. When
>>complications occur and medicine is necessary it should be available
>>without losing the option of a homebirth. I could not find the
>>necessary recourses for my first birth and would be forever grateful to
>>have all of the options for my second birth. It seems if doctors really
>>belive that there is potential danger in homebirths they would take the
>>responsibility to make them safe.
>>
>>Jennifer
>
>At the risk of enduring another heap of flame, I would like to point out
>it is the fact that the baby is being delivered at home that is is the
>potentially dangerous part, and there is nothing that the physician
>community can do to make them safer except to advise against them. Just
>as I cannot require you to violate your principles and deliver in a
>hospital environment, you don't have the right to insist that a
>physician participate in something that he or she adamantly opposes.
>
>An analogous situation might be the ringside doctor at boxing matches.
>The overwhelming majority of doctors will not act in this capacity, as
>it gives an implicit approval of the activity, which is clearly
>dangerous, however appealing it might be to the participants.
>
>--
>William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG
>Clarksville, TN
>
>This is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be replacement
>or substitute for consultation and examination by an appropriate medical
>professional. Due to time constraints, private e-mails cannot be answered.
>
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