In class on Tuesday we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. B who is an OB/GYN in California. I have to admit that at first I expected her to have the same views of labor and birth as the typical obstetrician, however I was pleasantly surprised. Her views about interventions during labor were the least interventions the better, which is the opposite of what most OBs would recommend. It was very refreshing knowing that there are obstetricians out there who are trying to change the way the field operates. She admitted that she’s faced much opposition from her hospital especially when it comes to performing VBACs. Sometimes she would even transfer a woman to a different hospital so she could have a VBAC instead of performing a cesarean on her. Dr. B is herself pregnant at the moment and is facing a struggle because she has had a cesarean and would prefer to VBAC, but she’s not sure if she will be able to do so. I find it almost ridiculous that a doctor even has trouble taking control over her birth. I mean, don’t you think she would know better than anyone what’s appropriate for her body?
I think it’s exciting to be living during a time of such change; not only when it comes to birthing techniques, but everything else that’s going on in the US. It’s times like these where the industry is facing such opposition that real change will take place. It may take several years, but I do see radical changes in our future.