OK--

I agree the medicalization of birth is out of control in the US.

I agree there are greedy/lazy/ (fill-in-the-blank) OBs out there just as
there are people in every profession who do not share the same values that
we do.

However, I feel compelled to point out that here in the US I have watched
OBs get more "interventionist" as a group over the past 20 years in response
to fear of being sued.  How many of you have been sued?  I have, and it is a
life-altering experience.  Those of us MDs who have not been sued at least
know someone who has, and it is not pretty. SHouldwe have to practice
"defensive" medicine?  No--of course not.  But it is reality in the US.

As for the "battle" about home births, I am sure it will continue, but I am
not sure it should continue on this list. Once you have seen one baby with
severe neurologic defecits from birth asphyxia, you can become irrationally
adverse to the perceived risks of home deliveries.

Please--no flames.  Of course I believe a woman should be able to make a
fully informed choice.  Am just pointing out that some of us come with
different experiences, thus differrent points of view.

Kathy Leeper, MD, IBCLC
Medical Director, MilkWorks

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