However, Solomon acknowledges it will be an uphill battle to find doctors willing to go back into the baby business to work at the centre. Even Solomon himself dropped obstetrics from his practice three months ago. The main problem is the cost of malpractice insurance which triples when doctors deliver babies. Another deterrent is the hours it takes to care for a pregnant patient. Doctors find themselves often having to play the role of nutritionist and social worker.
Doctors have to be ready to spring into action anytime of the day or night.
It can wreak havoc on a busy family practice when the physician has to leave a waiting room full of patients to care for a mother in labour. In addition doctors have to make sure they are doing enough deliveries every year to justify continuing. Solomon said he opted out after only caring for 15 pregnant patients last year when at least 20 is recommended to keep his skills up. He admits he will have to do some soul searching before deciding to return to obstetrics. The centre will take some of the pressure off family doctors by providing a team of health care providers to work together to care for pregnant moms.