If anyone sees my posts as physician bashing in any way I would greatly
appreciate personal email on the subject.  I count a few physicians as
friends and have much respect for the medical profession.  I've never thought
that any physician I've met intended to hurt people.  I don't think they are
generally motivated by money; I don't think the majority are unduly
influenced by free lunches.  As a group I think they are smarter, harder
working, and kinder than the general population.

I've been *very* grateful to many of them over the years - especially those
who cared for my children.  I value all their training and experience and
*never* discount their evidence-based advice.  I can't begin to accurately
list all the positive experiences I've had with medical professionals, there
have been too many.  I haven't had a problem maintaining long term respectful
relationships with physicians - and acknowledge that they may deserve most of
the credit for that ;-)

I respect and admire physicians enough to see them as complete human beings
who are influenced by their personal experiences, life circumstances,
education, neighbors, religion, medical evidence, myths, families, culture,
laws, insurance companies, etc. - just like the rest of us.  Many of them
lack breastfeeding knowledge (though many of them know more than I ever
will).  Many of them also lack knowledge of natural birth (same caveat) - it
wasn't part of their training.  I suppose they lack knowledge about lots of
other things as well, just like the rest of us.  I think it is fair and
reasonable for me to question whether medical advice is experience and
evidence based, since that is what I want and what I'm paying for.  In areas
where the evidence conflicts with what is practiced (like much of maternity
care) I will exercise my right to make culturally unpopular choices for
myself and my children.

<< Many of the procedures all of you oppose are government regulated.(in the
 USA) Instead of attacking doctors for the eye drops,bathes, vit k etc. Maybe
 it it is time to blame the legal system for influencing the way doctors
 practice and get these laws changed.>>

I've never attacked a doctor for anything, nor raised my voice that I can
remember (childhood immunizations excepted).  I fully understand the
complexity of hospital policy/polity and that the doctor I choose isn't all
powerful in that setting.  I have successfully lobbied my insurance company
for change; and if the law said babies must be given baths, sucking tests
with sterile water, HepB vaccination, blood sugar testing, formula
supplementation for asymptomatic glucose levels of 39, or observation time
separate from mothers I'd lobby for change.

What I won't accept from physicians or anyone else is blanket statements
like: "well, we're in charge here"  "it is just our policy"  "I did it this
way with my children so you should too"  "I know what the evidence suggests,
but we do this (unless followed by a credible explanation)"  "Well, *we* have
to consider what is best for the baby (as if I don't!)"  "Look, I'm the one
who went to medical/nursing/pharmacy school"

*No one* cares more about my children than I do, no one is more responsible
and accountable for their well being than I am.  I generally try to be very
well informed and involved in care decisions, but there are times I have to
just trust my HCPs' judgment.  So far, that trust has been well placed (and
well earned).  I don't think that good doctors expect (or want the
responsibility) of blind trust all the time about all matters.  *That* would
be a God complex.

Elaine Ziska
Jackson, MS

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