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- From: reid@metis.tti.com (Reid Kneeland)
- Newsgroups: misc.kids
- Subject: Re: Episotomy...What my doctor said...Is this true? Anyone NOT have one?
- Message-ID: <1992Nov16.160122.7724@ttinews.tti.com>
- Date: 16 Nov 92 16:01:22 GMT
- Article-I.D.: ttinews.1992Nov16.160122.7724
- References: <BxK9r8.7wr@acsu.buffalo.edu>
- Sender: usenet@ttinews.tti.com (Usenet Admin)
- Organization: Transaction Technology Inc.
- Lines: 90
- Nntp-Posting-Host: metis.tti.com
-
- 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I think his idea of his role and patient rights is very outdated.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.
-