From: reid@metis.tti.com (Reid Kneeland)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Re: Episotomy...What my doctor said...Is this true?  Anyone NOT have one?
Date: 16 Nov 92 16:01:22 GMT
Article-I.D.: ttinews.1992Nov16.160122.7724
Organization: Transaction Technology Inc.

In article <BxK9r8.7wr@acsu.buffalo.edu> oispeggy@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Peggy Brown) writes:

>Met my doctor's partner for the first time last night.  There is 
>a 50% chance he will deliver my (first) baby, depending on who is 
>on duty.  Unfortunately I did not like him near as much as I like 
>my usual doctor.

This sounds like a situation a friend of mine was in with her first
baby.  She loved her doctor, but referred to his partner as "Dr.
Butt-Head".  Alas, it was B-H who ended up delivering.  She has since
changed doctors.

>He has a very authoritarian/paternalistic attitude and makes 
>comments to the effect that its UP TO THE PHYSICIAN WHETHER OR 
>NOT AN EPISIOTOMY IS DONE.

GRRRR!!!  LOUSY SCUM-SUCKING NAZI VERMIN!!  AARRRGGHHH!

If I'm not careful, I'll get REALLY mad.

>I of course nicely told him that since 
>it is my body it is up to me to decide whether or not an episiotomy 
>or anything else will be done.  I don't think he was listening.  

Try phrasing it this way: "I hope you'll respect my wishes, and not
perform any procedures against my will.  I'd hate to have to SUE you.
By the way, my attorney has three kids in college, and his Testarossa 
just threw a rod."

>I suspect he figures I'll be in sufficient pain that I will accept 
>anything he does without questioning it.  (Pain has a way of making 
>people submissive.)

All too true.  This is why it's critical for you and whoever your
partner/coach is to agree ahead of time on what you want, and for that
person to enforce your wishes during labor and birth.

>I think his idea of his role and patient rights is very outdated.

Does he have a jar of leeches on his desk?

>We discussed episiotomy for awhile.  He said that in most 
>deliveries and nearly all first deliveries it must be done.  I 
>pointed out that in other countries and in home labors they are 
>not done nearly as often.

You're right, he's wrong.  (To be fair, he's probably not familiar
with perineal massage, so it may be true that HE has to do epis most
of the time.)

>Once its started, rrrrriiiiiippp!

Exactly.

>He said that tears do not develop gradually.  They 
>happen all at once, so unless you have an episiotomy ahead of 
>time forget it - the tear will happen so fast it will be too late 
>to do anything.  This makes no sense to me either.  I mean, 
>doesn't it tear bit by bit with each contraction?  

I've hear an OB say that he won't do an episiotomy unless he sees
the woman start to tear, so there is at least some medical agreement
with your opinion.

>As I said, I hope this guy doesn't deliver my baby.  I can tell 
>already we will have some big problems regarding who is in 
>control, regarding the episiotomy and anything else that comes 
>up.  Its unfortunate to have to anticipate working with a 
>doctor who is NOT supportive about what the patient wants and not 
>willing to try perineal massage, and work with the patient to 
>avoid an episiotomy.  My chances of having what I consider to be 
>a good birth experience are low if I have to work with this 
>doctor who does not support my preferences.

Bottom line: You're right, and this guy's a jerk.  You don't have to
take this crap.  Remember who's paying whom, and don't be afraid to
remind HIM.

Have you discussed this with your primary doctor?  If (s)he's a more
sensitive and less authoritarian type, (s)he'll probably want to know.
If I were you, I'd consider finding a new doctor.  If you do this, be
sure to tell your primary doctor why.

=====================================================================
Reid Kneeland
reid@tti.com  (that's MISTER reid@tti.com to you!)
Transaction Technology Inc., Santa Monica, CA, USA (310) 450-9111 x2499
The opinions expressed above do not necessarily etc etc...

Never trust a man who can count to 1,023 on his fingers.
Newsgroups: misc.kids