tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post6411956446164206473..comments2023-09-19T11:02:50.976-04:00Comments on Ob/Gyn Kenobi: Ob/Gyns are *not* evildr. whoo?http://www.blogger.com/profile/10315615480530297472noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-34611929611564453232011-02-22T02:46:24.497-05:002011-02-22T02:46:24.497-05:00When I started to feel the burning stretching sens...When I started to feel the burning stretching sensation which showed that birth was near, I of course told him. I was squatting in the labor bed holding on to the rails so he couldn't see much. At that point I felt absolutely great, powerful, I was finally going to push out a baby. Now in those days it was normal to have a separate labor and delivery room, but I had asked him in the office, if I could deliver in the labor bed if I could push out the baby myself and he had said yes. But now he said we were going to the delivery room. I cried out " But you said I could deliver in the labor room!" and he said something so outrageous I couldn't understand how he could have said it "Well then its a good thing I lied to you." Before I knew it I was taken out of my squat and the bed was being pulled down the hall, the nurses were telling me to stop pushing, and I was pushing with all the strength of my fury. I found myself with my legs up in stirrups covered with blue drapes, my butt at the end of the table, just the way I had NOT wanted to have my baby! My doctor was at the door putting on gloves and I yelled at him Get the F over here and catch this baby before he falls on the F-ing floor!" In what seemed like a moment he was holding up my baby to show me and looking apologetic. He even said quietly "Next time you can stay home." (Yes, he actually did some home deliveries, but didn't come as far away as I lived.)<br />Later when we talked about what happened he told me that he got concerned when he realized how large the baby was (he was 11 pounds) and told me that when he was in training, before he knew what to do, he had a baby whose shoulders got stuck who died. He said he also had a home birth with an 11 pound baby where the woman's bottom was sunk in a too soft bed and he couldn't get in there to do what he needed to do. They got her bottom up on some pillows and it was OK, but it was a scary situation for him, and he had felt he needed to be where he felt he could do what he needed to do. If only he had taken just a MOMENT to explain this to me he would have had a cooperative patient, not one who was cursing at him! I went on to ask him if he had had to do anything special and he said no, there was no problem. He even said at one point that "Size is no object for you obstetrically." I didn't ever have the guts to ask him why he said the awful thing he did,-I was afraid I would just choke up and cry and not be able to talk- and honestly it has taken me years to have some idea. He was really saying "Why would you think that I would lie to you, after the time I have spent with you, after I have taken so much flak from my colleagues for doing VBACs, for doing homebirths and supporting midwives, for not using EFM routinely, why is your first reaction to think I am doing this for no reason?" I think I am right that this is where this comment came from. But then I did not get it at all. At the best of times I am fairly dense, and perhaps when one's baby is close to crowning one can be excused for not grasping the emotional meaning under the actual words. Still, I am sorry that he felt that way, and sorry that I never did express gratitude as what he was willing to do really made an amazing difference in my life. <br /><br />So here is a tribute to the late James D. Brew MD, a great OB!<br /><br />This story does also go to show that everyone has to consider that laboring women are hypersensitive to the words of those around them, and that even very well intentioned doctors, nurses, and midwives, need to be careful in speaking to them.<br /><br />Susan Petersoneulogoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05307036781446427993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-32443120035892561062011-02-22T02:45:58.079-05:002011-02-22T02:45:58.079-05:00I would like to express my gratitude to the OB who...I would like to express my gratitude to the OB who delivered my second and third babies many years ago, especially since at one point I became very angry with him at one point and have only recently understood where he was coming from.<br /><br />This doctor made it possible for me to have a VBAC before that term had even been invented, in 1974. Since I was instructed to be in the hospital as soon as I knew I was in labor, he got a CNM to sit with me and monitor the baby every 15 minutes so I didn't have to be on EFM, which was just coming into use in those days; he believed having someone monitor every 15 minutes was just as good and had a study which showed that. When he finished his office hours he came in and sat with me for the entire rest of my labor. When my baby flipped posterior and my recti muscles split with a huge push (I had had a vertical incision externally) he delivered that baby with forceps with great skill and no harm at all to her. For my next baby he also protected me from the intern who wanted to put in an internal monitor, assured me when I said, no, I didn't need an epidural "unless I need it" that I wouldn't need it, and then was with me in the room for two hours of pushing. When I hear people's complaints about L&D nurses I realize that I hardly even saw one the first time and the second time only while I was being checked in. Hearing about your schedule I am amazed at the time my OB spent with me. So what made me so angry with him? (continued in next post)eulogoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05307036781446427993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-2168496264252802212010-04-03T00:07:57.460-04:002010-04-03T00:07:57.460-04:00"Anonymous said...
Well...if she'..."Anonymous said...<br /><br /> Well...if she's in labor..yes..I'd say it needs to be done."<br /><br />Actually, as long as mom and baby are stable (heart rate, bp, etc) Is dilation progress "really" that important? What happens if a woman really isn't comfortable with being checked?Lady Mikonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-90762558780904154212010-04-02T11:49:56.219-04:002010-04-02T11:49:56.219-04:00Totally agree. I LOVE my OB and trust her implicit...Totally agree. I LOVE my OB and trust her implicitly. I don't believe she is out to get home, hurry up, force me to do a C just to do one, etc. In fact, she said she would do everything possible to deliver my first on Xmas (didn't happen due to an emergency on her part). I was all "but it's Xmas and you have a family." She was all 'honey, I knew my schedule and life as an OB the day I went into med school. No worries."<br /><br />My best friend, however, is an OB/GYN's nightmare. "Pitocin, C section, epidurals, etc. will hurt the baby. They're not necessary. It's for THEIR convenience."<br /><br />Ugh she was 9 months of drama and a pain in the ass. When I visited her during her labor the look on the nurses faces--I felt bad for them.<br /><br />Any OB that makes a patient feel the way you listed, should make that patient run. I admire everything your profession does and dont' know how you do it. I would be a weeping mess all the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-89923872287586752212010-04-01T08:53:11.962-04:002010-04-01T08:53:11.962-04:00Dr. Whoo -
I am right there with AtYourCervix - ...Dr. Whoo - <br /><br />I am right there with AtYourCervix - I have worked with, and had (fired) numerous OBs who WEREN'T as awesome as you are. Just as there are bad doulas, bad midwives, bad patients... there are also bad OBs... and, unfortunately, in my experience, the more 'natural' their views, the more ostracized mamas are during their pregnancy/birth. <br /><br />Again, I hate stereotypes, so I will never say ALL OBs, though. In fact, my OBs for my kids births were AWESOMELY supportive and genuine in their care. <br /><br />PS, want to have a guest post on my blog? I would love to talk with you more about this. deelahthedoula(at)gmail.comNicole Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00221401549139626688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-56999186427661761072010-03-30T10:44:29.182-04:002010-03-30T10:44:29.182-04:00Dr Whoo - I believe that you are a genuine, caring...Dr Whoo - I believe that you are a genuine, caring OB. This comes across in the manner in which you blog about your patients - 110%!!<br /><br />Unfortunately, there are too many (in my opinion) OB/GYNs who are NOT like you. I can count on one hand how many physicians that I work with who I would choose as a care provider. That's rather sad, I think.AtYourCervixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238926588944507794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-57570545079909727842010-03-29T11:59:27.066-04:002010-03-29T11:59:27.066-04:00I had asked:
(really, is a vaginal exam really *ne...I had asked:<br /><i>(really, is a vaginal exam really *needed* when the mom has only had 3 or 4 mild contractions since the last one was done 2 hours ago?)</i><br /><br />An anonymous OB Resident (please, at least come up with a "screen name) said:<br /><i>Well...if she's in labor..yes..I'd say it needs to be done. </i><br /><br />What new information do you expect to find?<br /><br />Do you really expect to find change after only 3-4 contractions? Is she really "in labor" if contractions are that far apart? <br /><br />And does any of that really matter if the woman has said that she doesn't want the exam? Is it appropriate to tell her that she has no choice? After all, isn't it HER body?Knitted in the Wombhttp://www.knittedinthewomb.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-64843028150003539812010-03-16T23:28:04.526-04:002010-03-16T23:28:04.526-04:00If that website go to alldoula.com I went there tr...If that website go to alldoula.com I went there trying to figure out what a doula was. They are very anti-OB and also are giving very bad advice to pregnant women.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-91998888115633283862010-03-15T17:16:07.783-04:002010-03-15T17:16:07.783-04:00After going through a twin pregnancy with my OB, I...After going through a twin pregnancy with my OB, I will be forever grateful for her. In regards to "cutting the baby out of the womb to get home in time for dinner" - I remember having a frank discussion with her about possibly having a C-section because of the risk of cord prolapse on Baby B. *I* brought up the subject of C-section out of my own fear. She assured me that if both babies were head down, the risk was very small and she would much rather (take the time to) deliver vaginally. Which I successfully did.<br /><br />She listened to my concerns about as well as I ever could've imagined ANYONE doing. We had great discussions. She never dismissed a single thing I ever said. She cared about me as a patient AND me as a person. And she deeply cared about my unborn babies. I felt like she was completely invested in everything about me and my pregnancy. I wasn't just a number and certainly didn't get put on an assembly line.<br /><br />I believe you're a lot like her...Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08114095833265130928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-55663571170747778722010-03-12T14:44:55.480-05:002010-03-12T14:44:55.480-05:00I saw both a homebirth midwife and an OB for my la...I saw both a homebirth midwife and an OB for my last pregnancy. In the end, it was my OB who I think believed in my body's ability more than my midwife, and my OB who called me and left me her cell # when my baby was in the hospital for CHD repair. My midwife never called us to check on her once, despite all our "relationship building." I am very active in ICAN, but do find it unfair when practioners are painted with a certain brush just because of the letters behind their name. While I do think that there needs to be some sort of birth/health care reform in this country, I know there are many wonderful OBs who deserve to be respected for doing the absolute best job they can do!shruleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17618626625863230886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-11495665408682075792010-03-10T20:30:16.034-05:002010-03-10T20:30:16.034-05:00See the blog that Micah referenced above. It'...See the blog that Micah referenced above. It's populated with a group of people I'm convinced are OB haters...and nothing will change their minds. I also wonder about the validity of some of the posts on there...and wonder if they are even remotely verified, or if it's a place for people to submit things in order to push an agenda.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-79845576500614637422010-03-07T09:21:42.979-05:002010-03-07T09:21:42.979-05:00Wow. Where did you hear all that stuff? Personall...Wow. Where did you hear all that stuff? Personally, I have a FANTASTIC OB/GYN. I have been seeing him for about 7 years, and he delivered my son 4 years ago. Not only is he fantastic at what he does, but I bring him medical questions that don't even fall into his specialty because he is a genius and does not mind answering those questions for me. Aso, I trust him above and beyond all my other docs.<br /><br />So take some relief in kno-wing that there are many women out there that think you guys rock!<br /><br />- RA SB<br />rasuperbitch.blogspot.comsuperbitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03207098211859414198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-17538847901926442292010-03-06T13:07:48.964-05:002010-03-06T13:07:48.964-05:00I think it's awesome that you're one of th...I think it's awesome that you're one of those OBs that genuinely cares! I'm a birth doula and unfortunately I haven't met many in real life. <br /><br />http://myobsaidwhat.com/Micah Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12754649989819227445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-25215344776152667022010-03-02T19:16:05.829-05:002010-03-02T19:16:05.829-05:00I don't comment much, but I am an out-of-hospi...I don't comment much, but I am an out-of-hospital midwife. I always love your birth stories, and I always agree with your management. I know lots of OBs like you, and I know that there are many more good than bad-- just like with midwives. <br /><br />Just the way many OBs only see the home births that aren't working, many midwives hear only the stories about OBs who didn't listen. We all have to have a level head and the sense to know that those stories are always the extremes and that most practitioners of all stripes have the same goal in mind: a healthy mom and a healthy baby. <br /><br />When patients tell me their horror stories-- and let me tell, you, in general they are far from horrible, but are more "I didn't get what I wanted or I felt like I wasn't being listened to" stories IMHO-- I try so hard to remind them that no one in the hospitals is evil. Everyone is doing what they think is best and safest in the moment. Everyone has the best interests of the baby, fist and foremost, in mind. Mom's desires don't come first when the baby's needs are more urgent. <br /><br />I would love it if you were practicing in my town. I would send you patients, because I like the way you practice and write and think. Your patients are lucky. <br /><br />You can't please everyone, though. It would be nice if they didn't feel it was necessary to come to your office (or blog) to tell you that they think you suck, but some people just do love to do that. <br /><br />I hope you felt better for writing this. you don't deserve the grief people give you when you are trying to do your job and keep their kid alive.Lizardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01718844284081950852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-28174130449635721802010-02-28T11:25:37.112-05:002010-02-28T11:25:37.112-05:00Another stellar post, Dr. Whoo. Amen sister. Preac...Another stellar post, Dr. Whoo. Amen sister. Preaching to the choir.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-46739667317870111932010-02-27T16:59:57.838-05:002010-02-27T16:59:57.838-05:00Please, can you PM me and tell me few more thinks ...Please, can you PM me and tell me few more thinks about this, I am really fan of your blog...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-80999987121561341012010-02-26T22:39:57.535-05:002010-02-26T22:39:57.535-05:00Great post. I completely agree that many of the a...Great post. I completely agree that many of the au natural types are over the top and down right hostile to the medical profession, I dont work in OB, But as a women who has had 3 difficult pregnancies in which my babies and I survived by medical interventions, I often feel quite alienated when I find my self in the presence of a women who feels that natural is the only way to go. I hate the term "overly medicalized pregnancy" it makes me bonkers. Women who feel this way and write these blogs and books are not only insulting the abilities of many OB's but they alienate all the women who have complications, as if we used a birthing ball it would make a difference when your pre-term, with right upper quadrant abdominal pain and an LDH of 1200...Thanks for helping me relize Im not the only person a little insulted and disapointed by this movement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-87129828856864965732010-02-25T22:13:52.045-05:002010-02-25T22:13:52.045-05:00Whoever thinks maternal deaths are "at a reco...Whoever thinks maternal deaths are "at a record hight" hasn't a clue what went on in the early part of this century. Women died regularly from obstructed labor, hemorrage and eclampsia. The invention of the obstetrical forceps was acutally a lifesaving event for mothers and babies, as well as the gaining of the ability to do a safe ceasearean. Deaths from these causes are almost unheard of now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-73344307416900101562010-02-25T20:56:25.257-05:002010-02-25T20:56:25.257-05:00You sound like a wonderful ob-gyn.
It must feel ...You sound like a wonderful ob-gyn. <br />It must feel terrible when people assume those things.<br /><br />I don't think the worst of ob-gyns, but I feel defensive when having to deal with them for the actual birth. Unfortunately, I'm yet another who had a bad experience with an ob-gyn for my first birth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-67580759692833104292010-02-24T23:41:42.879-05:002010-02-24T23:41:42.879-05:00To My OB Said What?
You said >> Doctors li...To My OB Said What? <br /><br />You said >> Doctors like you need to be copied and shared around the country and OBs that are hurtful, rude and disrespectful need to be removed from practice, no matter how excellent their technical knowledge is.<br /><br />When I read your site 90% of the comments I see are taken completely out of context, and do not mean what you and many of the readers think they mean. Readers often comment "can you believe that OB said that??", not understanding the real context of the comment. A lot of these comments make a lot of sense to me, as I often understand what context the comment was made in. It is telling that the person that posted the comment, as it probably means that the physician wasn't able to communicate what was going on in a way that the patient could understand. But they certainly don't mean what the majority of your readers think they mean.<br /><br />You laud Dr Whoo here (which he deserves) but undeservedly attack OBs and other practitioners by encouraging random practitioner bashing on your site. In fact he may have made some of the comments on your site, as many of them are completely innocuous and many are quite appropriate. Some are bad, but they seem in the minority to me.<br /><br />I've made some sharp comments from time to time, but I try to back off when it gets too hot. Your site seems to encourage a anti-OB attitude and hot comments, without giving any opportunity for the real meaning of these "quotes" to come out. Its a shame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-78605485541415596932010-02-24T23:32:23.854-05:002010-02-24T23:32:23.854-05:00Thanks for this post. I dialogue a lot with folks...Thanks for this post. I dialogue a lot with folks that seem to paint us with a broad brush of badness that is hugely unjustified. As soon as we say a few decent things some of them post "oh you must be one of the good ones." There's a few comments like this on your post. The reality, which you realize, is that most OBs are pretty solid and deeply respect the wishes and desires of their patients.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-17450827757400824252010-02-24T18:58:52.458-05:002010-02-24T18:58:52.458-05:00Oh, man. I never thought of ob/gyns that way. Well...Oh, man. I never thought of ob/gyns that way. Well, except the rolling around naked in piles of money. ;-) Just kidding.Leigh Ann Otte--TheDoctorWriterhttp://thedoctorwriter.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-73882814691641239852010-02-24T18:08:51.981-05:002010-02-24T18:08:51.981-05:00(really, is a vaginal exam really *needed* when th...<i>(really, is a vaginal exam really *needed* when the mom has only had 3 or 4 mild contractions since the last one was done 2 hours ago?)</i><br /><br /><br />Well...if she's in labor..yes..I'd say it needs to be done.<br /><br />I'm a medical student strongly considering going into OB/GYN for many, many reasons. <br /><br />My main concerns are being male in what seems to be becoming a society in which many women are militant about seeing ONLY women for their OB/GYN needs and these folks that think they know more than people that have spent a decade or more specializing in women's health. Now, I'm not saying that these patients should not be HEARD or have a role in their care, but my experience has been that many that are part of this "movement" have no interest in listening to those trained on the issues...they just want to bash and state they know more than the docs...often without facts supporting them.<br /><br /><br />For the record, my interest in OB/GYN was piqued at the time we were studying womens health during 2nd year...at the same time my wife went through a miscarriage that was handled HORRIBLY (imo) by an OB/GYN. It was further piqued during my clinical rotation when i discovered I truly love learning about and practicing women's health. Not to mention Robotic Surgery. I like it all. I'm just worried about what the future would hold if that's the direction I go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-28031748793973136342010-02-23T12:35:14.117-05:002010-02-23T12:35:14.117-05:00I have had 2 babies - one hospital with interventi...I have had 2 babies - one hospital with interventions from the start and one birthing center natural birth. I plan on a home birth next. I believe that OB's are here for a reason, they have medical training and knowledge for women who are truly in need of their care and for that I am thankful. We also have midwives who are medically trained and knowledgeable of the natural process of birth. Each has a role and they are very different from one another. Instead of blaming OB's and Midwives for their 'evil' doings, why not take a look at our own selves and our own choices? We as birthing women have the choice - it is our body. Would you go to a foot doctor to have them look at your hand? No, so why would you go to an OB who is trained in high risk pregnancy for a normal birth? We as women need to educate ourselves and choose the right path for us and our babies and quit blaming others for our choices. 'Natural' childbirth is not something new and dangerous, it has been here since the beginning! Hospital births are new in the scheme of things - and still, maternal deaths are record high, even with all the technology!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31146535.post-4938418087919794572010-02-23T11:21:54.097-05:002010-02-23T11:21:54.097-05:00I hear you. You know, it took going through midwif...I hear you. You know, it took going through midwifery school for me to learn that the vast majority of the time OB docs and midwives are playing on the same team. We may come at things from different angles occasionally, but usually, when our paths intersect, it's for good reason. I learned that as a homebirth midwife, I cannot practice without the support and collaboration physicians in my community. In fact I moved to Washington state from a state where midwifery was until recently illegal for this very reason. I'm fortunate (and the women I care for) to enjoy pretty good relationships with the hospitals and docs in my region.<br />I do see however that the locus of power here, sits firmly in your (the OB's) court. The systems are set up by and to serve the status quo, which is usually high volume, hospital obstetrics, hospital protocols and the greatest good for the greatest number. I don't see that changing radically anytime soon. In this country it's really hard for women desiring really personal, low-intervention, high- 'touch' care to get the care and births they want, and it becomes a very emotional and fraught experience if a prior birth inside the system was traumatic for them somehow (this was, admittedly my experience). Converts, as they say, are the worst! The pendulum sometimes quite understandably swings wildly in the other direction, into us versus them territory. As a midwife I now spend a LOT of time unpacking some of that with clients, preparing them well for transport eventualities so that they understand that if we wind up in the hospital during labor, or in physician care antenatally it's for good reason, because they need to be there.<br />I can totally see how it would be upsetting to see all OB's tarred with those brushes. Similarly, it's very upsetting for homebirth midwives to be tarred with Dr. Amy's 'untrained, ignorant, dangerous crazy people' brush. <br />I'm sure you're a great OB and your community is fortunate to have you.Louisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17777614897667728830noreply@blogger.com