Interesting article

Nov5Mrs.

https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43529641/ns/health-health_care/

In the middle of this article, a study of doctors is mentioned, where many admit to making medical errors and being haunted by them. I wonder if, from a human standpoint, OBs just like doing C-sections for the control factor. They know the outcome and they are more confident in their skills (as opposed to the mother being confident in her ability to birth). I wonder how many OBs are "haunted" by one vaginal delivery that happened to go badly and think "if only I'd done a c-section" and then because of that one time, take what they percieve as the safe route and begin performing too many c-sections thinking they're just ebing cautious. It makes me sad for us and sad for the OBs.

+diana82+

There's probably some truth to that. My OB has been super supportive (read: practically talked me into) going the vbac route.  When she explained the rupture risk she said that adds up to maybe 2 cases that they (***she and her four rotating docs on call) see a year total - but that those 2 are the ones they remember.  

I'm paraphrasing but you get the idea.  It wasn't presented as a scare tactic at all, I can totally see how one instance that goes "bad" leaves its mark.

 Edit*** actually, she may have been speaking of the hospital as a whole, I think she heads up the quality assurance group for the OB department.

 Edited further for clarity.

papagena

I confess - that article terrifies me a bit!  I don't doubt that you're somewhat right about what you said in reference to OB's having their bad experiences foremost in their minds. 

cchill01

I'm not sure how much is guilt...and how much is fear of lawsuits.   My former-OB said that one bad VBAC experience at the hospital has changed hospital policy.  She said it was traumatic for everyone involved.  But then she followed it up by saying "we have to do what's best for the practice."  So, I'm thinking it's somewhere in between.  My OB seemed very conflicted.

holly321

I think a lot of it is actually guilt.  My and my baby's life were not in danger during my c section.  my ob cut me open, while I could feel it, it was the anesthesiologist's fault. At the time everything happened, I felt worse for him, than myself just because the look on his face.  I know he felt horrible.