Hearing personal stories from ob's in the delivery room? How common?

[Anonymous]

I realize that there is a huge variation in obstetricians and personalities, bedside manner, etc. but I am reflecting on my daughter's birth several years ago now. The on-call doctor who delivered my child told us a long, drawn out, dramatic story that was probably true but not relevant to anything having to do with labor and delivery. How often does this happen? Was he trying to distract me? Does anyone include in their birth plans "no personal stories from doctor?" or "doctor must refrain from conversation so that I can hear the Enya I brought?" FWIW, I am not mad or disappointed, just curious about how common this is.

[Anonymous]

Yes it's pretty standard in birth plans now to ask your doctor to wear a certain color, speak in a particular accent (no Boston accent please! British is ok) and even how you would like your vagina addressed (I prefer the formal "mrs. Peacock, and please don't ever look directly at my vagina's eye). I don't see why dictating what conversation your Doctor and nurses make during their work day is any more obnoxious, so please go for it!

[Anonymous]

My midwife was trying to chat my doula up on how her business was going. Super annoying while I was pushing. fortunately, the doula didn't engage. She even mentioned it to me afterward and apologized.

[Anonymous]

Wow. The sarcastic physician responses are quite indicative of their condescending attitudes towards female clients in labor.
Now watch them deny that they are neither physicians, nor male. Sure.

[Anonymous]

Not a physician (or connected to the medical profession) and not male, but the only reason I didn't post in this thread is because the first two respondents nailed it.

Telling a story to kill time during labor is not a "condescending attitude toward female clients in labor" . It's human interaction. The idea that someone would try to include in a birth plan the kinds of topics that the doctor could discuss is insane and was called out for the ridiculousness that it is.

That chip on your shoulder must be very heavy.

[Anonymous]

I don't see why this is a big deal -- haven't you ever been through a procedure where the dr ends up talking about work or the kids or the weather or whatever -- just as a distraction? Sure sometimes it's not necessary or even annoying - like when they're chatting w each other re business - but we all deal with human interaction. You'd really put in a birth plan - no talking?! They're not stupid - if they see you listening to music or telling DH to turn it up, they will shut up -- it's not like they're dying to talk to you, they're just providing distraction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes it's pretty standard in birth plans now to ask your doctor to wear a certain color, speak in a particular accent (no Boston accent please! British is ok) and even how you would like your vagina addressed (I prefer the formal "mrs. Peacock, and please don't ever look directly at my vagina's eye). I don't see why dictating what conversation your Doctor and nurses make during their work day is any more obnoxious, so please go for it!

Thank you, Doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. The sarcastic physician responses are quite indicative of their condescending attitudes towards female clients in labor.
Now watch them deny that they are neither physicians, nor male. Sure.

Seriously? The doctor told a stupid story during his workday. Not necessarily appropriate, but not the worst thing in the world either. Not every doctor has an impeccable bedside manner. It doesn't mean all ob's are the enemy though.

I'm female, btw, before you start questioning my gender.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. The sarcastic physician responses are quite indicative of their condescending attitudes towards female clients in labor.
Now watch them deny that they are neither physicians, nor male. Sure.

Seriously? The doctor told a stupid story during his workday. Not necessarily appropriate, but not the worst thing in the world either. Not every doctor has an impeccable bedside manner. It doesn't mean all ob's are the enemy though.

I'm female, btw, before you start questioning my gender.

No one here cares about your gender. Takes some continuing education courses in bedside manner.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure male OB's aren't trolling the Expectant Mom forums on a Saturday morning to defend their right to tell boring stories at work.

[Anonymous]

What exactly is wrong with chit chat? You know doctors are real people, right? I'd really rather have a doctor with a personality and stories than a dull business only approach. I specifically chose my ob based on if I was likely to like her. My pcp asked me what I was looking liking for when I asked her for a recommendation and I sad I wanted someone who was competent and who I would like. She recommended someone who is wicked smart, lives half a mile from me, is funny, is close in age, and is likable. I am very happy and trust her. And sometimes we end up laughing about mundane things at my appts, I'm sure she will be talkative when I am in labour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty sure male OB's aren't trolling the Expectant Mom forums on a Saturday morning to defend their right to tell boring stories at work.

LOL!

[Anonymous]

What exactly is wrong with chit chat?

For OP, I think it means the doctor isn't completely focused on her her her the entire time.

- not a doctor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. The sarcastic physician responses are quite indicative of their condescending attitudes towards female clients in labor.
Now watch them deny that they are neither physicians, nor male. Sure.

Seriously? The doctor told a stupid story during his workday. Not necessarily appropriate, but not the worst thing in the world either. Not every doctor has an impeccable bedside manner. It doesn't mean all ob's are the enemy though.

I'm female, btw, before you start questioning my gender.

No one here cares about your gender. Takes some continuing education courses in bedside manner.

Never said I was a doctor. Who pissed in your Cheerios?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. The sarcastic physician responses are quite indicative of their condescending attitudes towards female clients in labor.
Now watch them deny that they are neither physicians, nor male. Sure.

Seriously? The doctor told a stupid story during his workday. Not necessarily appropriate, but not the worst thing in the world either. Not every doctor has an impeccable bedside manner. It doesn't mean all ob's are the enemy though.

I'm female, btw, before you start questioning my gender.

No one here cares about your gender. Takes some continuing education courses in bedside manner.

Never said I was a doctor. Who pissed in your Cheerios?

Your arrogance makes you sound like one.