Ultrasonologists and obstetricians are having a unique relationship in private
obstetric practice .It is time that they educate each other about many
obstetric issues for the overall well being of the mother and baby. As an
obstetrician in private practice I feel
that obstetricians and ultrasonologists are giving advice to patients independent
of each other leaving the patient highly confused .Recently I saw an ultrasound report from a renowned
ultrasonologist mentioning occipitoposterior position of the baby at 38 weeks on routine scan
and even telling the patient that it is an unfavourable position for normal
delivery. First of all position of the baby before start of labour does not
change the obstetrical management in any way. It is only the presentation
cephalic or breech ( head at lower pole or not) which matters. Secondly why
confuse the patient with a statement which does not alter management in any way?
90% of occipitoposterior positions will turn to the more favourable
occipitoanterior position. The ultrasonologist in question felt that he was
helping the patient and the obstetrician by remarking on an additional foetal parameter .But in reality
he or she implanted seeds of anxiety and fear of failure in the patient”s mind
before she began her labour journey. Most of the time we as obstetricians don’t
give feedback to the ultrasonologists thinking they will not understand .
By the way this patient
had an uneventful vaginal delivery