The reason anesthesiologists care if women are choosing not to have
epidurals has to do with the fee for service nature of medical practice.  If
women don't want them, they can't collect their fees.  OB anesthesia is a
BIG money maker.

In teaching hospitals, they want to teach, so even if they're not paid fee
for service they want more to do.  And even in teaching hospitals, the MDs
are usually supported by the fees they generate by doing procedures.

And if some people believe that epidurals aren't the greatest thing since
sliced bread, then the anesthesiologists might have to recognize that this
procedure isn't all it's cracked up to be.

It's a sad world.

Mickey Gillmor, CNM
Atlanta, GA
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