Jan:  I agree with your points, and I certainly wasn't justifying the
doctors' position, just stating that that is the purported rationale.  I
agree that these practices need to be questioned.  However, there will be
considerable resistance, because of the fear of lawsuits (I guess this
will only be balanced if there is an equal fear of lawsuits stemming from
the consequences of unnecessary interventions).  Just because there will
be resistance, of course, is no reason to sit back and allow detrimental
practices to continue.  We've all seen changes come about when
non-research-based practices are questioned (some of us remember days of
sterile delivery rooms, prep and shave and enema for every laboring
woman).  Let's all continue working for positive changes.  Alicia Dermer,
M.D., IBCLC (YES!!).  [log in to unmask]