NEW RESPONSIBILITIES OF OBSTETRICIANS

It is undeniable that we have entered a new age of medicine – one which now has remedies and procedures that were unfathomable only a few years ago. Obstetrics is no different from the rest of the medical community, and great strides have been made in the ways to treat expecting mothers during pregnancy and labor. For example, only a few years ago, doctors and obstetricians were encouraged to force women to have cesareans if they had previously had one, because it cut down the hospital’s liability, although did not have any noticeable health effects.

Times have now changed, and obstetricians have stood up against their hospitals, and instead encourage a more natural birthing process for the women who wish to avoid cesareans. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is currently in the process of issuing a new set of medical guidelines to make it easier for women to find doctors who will encourage this type of traditional birth, even after having a cesarean. Many in the medical community remain unconvinced that this step will result in any shift in the behavior patterns that have become so entrenched within the obstetrics community.

However, for most obstetricians, the health of their patient is the first priority – this is not a guideline that will change anytime soon. If it is in their patient’s best interest to have a cesarean section, then they will deny the patient’s request for a vaginal birth; however, these guidelines will attempt to shift the behavior of obstetricians who believe cesarean sections should be the only option after your first. The new medical guidelines being published indicate that prior to previous belief, delivering a baby the traditional manner is not as dangerous after first having a cesarean section. However, the guidelines warn against traditional births for women delivering twins and women who have delivered two or more babies via cesarean section.

These guidelines may seem to be relatively small changes for the obstetrics community, but they have sparked much controversy within many hospitals. Obstetricians may wish to advise patients one way in regards to their delivery, and their hospital may back another way. Once the guidelines are published, it will be difficult for hospitals and clinics to argue with obstetricians, but until that time, obstetricians must take on a new responsibility to look after the well-being of their patients, even if that means going against their birth wishes.