Posted on June 25 at 6:22 p.m.

Yes RC, a patient should absolutely find a doctor that supports her choices in birth. And, she needs to take responsibility for her choices... but when she doesn't have a choice... what can she do?

and No, a patient should not ever have to indemnify her doctor. Each Doctor can always refuse to take on a patient and refer her to another Doctor, if they feel the risk is too great to "treat" a woman as she chooses. And FYI: there are many Doctors in Santa Barbara, in the Country and around the world who view VBAC as THE safest and best option for most women who have had a previous cesarean.But, as we have seen in Santa Barbara, the environment at the Hospital does not permit Doctors to admit patients who want to try to birth their baby vaginally after a cesarean.

Part of the "Choices in Childbirth" movement, is to empower women to take ownership of their pregnancy, birth and their overall healthcare (shouldn't everyone!).When women know that they do have options, and don't have to blindly follow the "instructions" of their Doctor, and thus totally rely on the Doctor to make decisions for them ... , they may tend to not "blame" the Doctor when something does not proceed perfectly.

I totally agree that we live in a litigious society, and I don't like how patients expect their Doctors to be all knowing and never make mistakes. I do not expect my Doctors to be perfect, but I do expect them to give me their best advice, and then let me make the decision.

I also believe that if OB's began to look at the actual evidence based data, and treat pregnancy and birth, not as a medical procedure to be managed, but as a normal and natural event, and each woman and pregnancy was seen as unique (no one size fits all aproach) and if they began to be outspoken in their support for the work that Midwives and Doulas do...then OB's would see women who trully felt supported in THEIR decisions related to birth, that even when things did not go perfectly, the Doctor would not be held up on a pedestal of perfection.

All this discussion is wonderful!

On Families Protest Outside Cottage Hospital

Posted on June 25 at 3:32 p.m.

Both the Doctors and Cottage Hospital must be reminded of their duty to gain informed consent for ALL procedures. This means that a woman who is agreeing to Cesarean, must be made aware of all of the risks associated with this surgery, and she must understand that it is major abdominal surgery. Unless she is properly informed, she has not given true consent.

And the Doctors & Hospital must be reminded about every patients right to refusal of treatment. Anyone can refuse any type of medical treatment, including a repeat cesarean.

I personally believe that by denying women access to VBAC when they want it, and thereby forcing them to have surgery, the Hospital, or Docs, or whoever is trully responsible for denying women access to this option, is committing battery against women.

Whether the environment is hostile to Docs who allow VBACs, or the Hospital does not allow it, or Docs are choosing not to offer it, make no mistake: There IS a VBAC Ban at Cottage!

and Docs & Hospital have medical malpractice insurance already, they do not need any indemnification from or through their patients.

On Families Protest Outside Cottage Hospital