I stumbled onto a blog several weeks ago- basically discussing the safety of homebirth.(www.
homebirthdebate.com) At least that's what it claims to discuss. It's more like the ongoing rant of a retired OB who is viciously against homebirth, and also midwives and anything connected to the term "natural".
I'm hardly surprised at the concept of an OB being against homebirth. And I have no problem with someone wading through the studies and literature to find out if homebirth truly is as safe as it's claimed to be by the midwifery community. I'm all for separating truth from fiction. My problem with Dr. Amy Tuteur is that she has an agenda, which she is dishonest about. When she says her sole purpose is to provide women with the facts, then proceeds to post numerous diatribes which reflect nothing more than personal opinion, and routinely attacks positions that differ from hers- based on nothing more than philosophical differences, and again, personal opinion- well, that I have a problem with. Not that I care if she has her opinions- but don't disrespect your reraders by claiming to only be providing facts when facts only make up a small portion of your posts.
The thing is, I don't even disagree with a lot of what she says. My sister called her "Dr. Judgemental" after reading some of her site. I think it fits, so I'm going to use it. It's her utter lack of respect for other people with differnt views that bothers me. Also, her narrow-mindedness. She is so opinionated that she is unable to accept that you can have a different view, and niether one is necessarily wrong. There are some things that are just not worth arguing about- especially when it comes to personal philosophy. Yes, many homebirth advocates are driven by a specific philosophy. But so are doctors, and the medical establishment. I know I always tend to take the middle ground on things, but it's not out of the need to avoid conflict (believe me, I've never run from an argueament!!). It's more out of the fact that both sides (regardless of the issue), have valid points. There is some truth to both. And niether is based on a pure black-and-white principals that all members uniformly adhere to. When someone is so passionate about proving a point that they can no longer see clearly, it's rather sad. Dr. Judgemental does this. She has her preconcieved and largely made-up notion of what a "natural childbirth advocate" is. There is no room for any variation no matter what anyone says to her. She has us all wrapped into her neat little packages- unfortunately (for her) people don't always (or even usually) fit into a perfect little category. It is possible to strike a balance between two diametrically-opposed schools of thought. As a matter of fact, when it comes to this subject; homebirth vs. hospital birth, midwifery-model vs. medical-model, nature vs. technology, etc etc etc..it's actually smarter to look at the positive aspects of both, or at least accept that your way isn't the only "right" way.
I have spent a lot of time commenting to some of her posts. Not really a lot of time, just a few minutes here and there. But, too much time nonetheless. I am convinced she is purposely argumentative- probably just to generate comments, but I realized (as many already have) that it is a complete waste of time. I have many opinions of my own on the subject, and I plan to express them, but on my own site, on my own terms, when something strikes my interest. She has no intention of ever really looking at anyone's arguement with a clear and balanced eye, so why bother? Most people, regardless of their opinion on homebirth, can read her posts, and come to their own conclusions on what motivates her. And it certainly isn't the "Truth" or the "facts" or even the best interest of women and babies. She is driven by her own philosophical outlook on life, and is rather uneducated on the very subjects she routinely dismisses or attacks.
Unlike her constant claims, homebirth is NOT unsafe, by any means, if you are an appropriate candidate for homebirth. There is NO scientific evidence ANYWHERE that shows homebirth to be unsafe. In fact, it has been proven safe time and time again. Is it "as safe or safer than" hospital birth? That is the real question. And the answer is not as simple and clear-cut as Dr. Judgemental makes it out to be. That is something I definately plan on going into on a deeper level when I have the time. (ha- as if I ever have spare time!!)
Anyway, I have lots to say- being a woman who has had 3 very different births- one a c-section in a hospital, the second an intended homebirth with a transport to the hospital, and the third at home with a midwife. I will write about each of these when I have the time, and what my experiences have taught me. I'm not an obstetrician, nor am I a midwife. But, unlike the stereotypical homebirther (according to Dr. Judgemental) I am well informed of the risks and benefits of all options available to me, I am educated, and have a very solid grasp of both science, and statistics. There is a lot of propoganda and un-truths on both sides of the homebirth issue. It's just too bad that an obsterician, who appears to be both intelligent and educated, tries so hard to sway women into her way of thinking by using fear tactics, portraying opinion as "fact", and continuously implying that anyone who disagrees is ignorant, uninformed, and unable to grasp either staistics or science. I just don't understand why she feels the need to denigrate other woman's choices to make her point (with no real scientific evidence to back her up). Luckily not all doctors are like her.
