ACOG’s Statement on Minimal Birth Intervention: Harmful or Helpful?

I have mixed feelings about the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist’s recent Committee Opinion, Approaches to Limit Intervention During Birth.  Now, don’t’ get me wrong; I agree with many of the statements.  Routine amniotomy (water breaking) is not needed.  Women don’t always need continuous fluids running…

You Say C-section Like It’s a Bad Thing

Seriously, what is the big deal about C-sections?  I know my view is skewed as an obstetrician, but I do not understand the anti-C-section movement.  Granted, if a person can deliver vaginally with the end result of a healthy mom and baby, I am all for it…

Why the Mucus Plug is Bulls%#$: A Public Service Announcement

​Yes, I hate the mucus plug.  If you ask any obstetrician or labor nurse, they probably will tell you they hate it too.  Specifically, we hate how every book on pregnancy and labor mentions this entity and somehow correlates it to the onset of labor.  These books, blogs, and other…

Let Them Eat Fish

How many times have you heard that you can’t have fish if you are pregnant?  As an obstetrician, I am confronted with that misconception on a daily basis.  Even my own sister was terrified to eat a bite of fish during her Caribbean (pre-Zika) vacation.  With the amount…

Why do I Have to be Pro-Choice or Pro-Life?

The first time I saw an obstetrical ultrasound I was a medical student in labor and delivery.  The patient had just found out she was pregnant.  Her last period was about 6 or 7 weeks prior.  I watched the screen as the resident physician moved the ultrasound probe from side…