Nothing makes a doctors more angry than when a person challenges their authority or when people seek alternative care outside the realm of medicine. Doctors need to become more aware of the dangers of unneeded interventions in childbirth. They need to learn that people are getting sick and tired of the loss of their autonomy in the hospital. Most of all, doctors need to learn that they are not the keepers of truth and good health.

The threat of doctors leaving states due to the high cost of malpractice insurance is a myth buttressed by the AMA and many doctors. Most malpractice cases do not even make it to the courtroom and are settled out of court. What doctors need to tell people is that they are not infallible. They need to let people know very clearly the side effects of the drugs they depend on so much to make them look like gods. They need to respect their patient's needs and desires. Obstetricians should not schedule a C-section for your own schedule. If they followed that simple idea they would not be sued so often.

Of course, there are quite a few doctors who are aware of the problems and who are genuinely concerned about the right of people to know alternatives. The exceptions prove the rule.

Here are three actual letters given to pregnant patients by their compassionate doctors. The patients are people who decided to have a home birth instead of a hospital birth. Emphasis is mine.

LETTER ONE

Dear __________,

I am in receipt of your signed letter authorizing the release of your medical records to yourself and termination of obstetrical services. Enclosed please find your medical records and a check for $625 which represents a refund for overpayment of medical services. Your husbands (sic) signature acknowledging receipt of these items constitutes termination of your care at this medical practice.

You mentioned in your letter that you were leaving this practice for financial reasons. Your husband mentioned to me that you were seeking the service of an unlicensed lay midwife to provide your obstetrical care. I strongly disagree with your decision.

I want to make it clear that I have no professional relationship with any lay midwives. My releasing your medical records in no way condones your decision to seek care with an unlicensed provider. I released your records so that you could transfer to a qualified physician of your choosing without any interruption in the continuity of care. If you utilize an unlicensed provider, please note that I will not provide medical care to any family members in the future.

LETTER TWO

I regret to inform you that Dr. ________ and Dr. ________ cannot be the backup for your home birth. Dr. ________ has never backed a midwife for a home birth.

________, you need to decide where you are going to deliver. You are getting late in your pregnancy where you need to be seen on a more frequent basis. You did not come in for your glucose screening and antibody screen. You and I discussed the importance of these tests and the need for Rhogam. You must make arrangements for these tests to be done by (date deleted).

If you decide to leave the practice to deliver at home, realize that it is the office policy that you may not return to our practice. Please make your decision as soon as possible and respond to this correspondence by (date deleted).

Sincerely,

(name deleted)

LETTER THREE

Dear _________,

Christian freedom was employed in this example to choose the very best for the guests and in consideration for the new bride and groom. Will you choose a less safe site attended by less well trained people for your flesh and blood? Is that a good witness?

How ironic it would be for a pro-life Christian who decries abortion (life vs inconvenience) to have a baby at home, apparently ignoring the health and well being of the baby in the name of "comfort", "convenience", "intimacy", or "spiritual experience". Is this not sacrificing concern for baby to the god of selfishness? Be assured "God cannot be mocked." (Gal. 5:14) You will surely be held accountable for the precious "talent" within you.

My earnest prayer for you and your husband is that you will repent of the folly of home birth in (place deleted) in (date deleted), and seek competent assistance in caring for you and your unborn baby. I am not asking you to return to my practice -- I am urging you to be responsible. (name deleted) is quite flexible in working in concert with Dr (name deleted) as an example of an alternative you may find more acceptable. These are stern words because you are worth it.

Sincerely,

(name deleted)