Colleen and B456 I must say I agree with your points - there are 2 sides to this debate (at least) and just as the Dr is not seeing both sides, neither are other people who feel 180deg opposite to him.
This forum should be one where we are all able to make our decisions and not be judged or assumptions made that we just dont have the info available to make the 'right' one etc etc - perhaps this site BB is around as no one provides the 'non medicalised' view but just as people take offence at the Dr being so one sided and somewhat disregarding the non medicalised views of birth, those of us who perhaps are putting it more in the hands of an OB are not necessairily doing this bc we are not aware of information, unempowered, weaker, putting baby at risk etc and we may find it offensive to have our choices demeaned.Comments like women who may have drugs during birth need their opinions 'normalised' can be quite hurtful too.
Come on we are all looking to do what is right for us and our babies and our bodies, we make decisions with the best intentions - lets not judge each other (but pls realise this goes both ways).
The most hurtful thing that has been said to me in my pg is from a cousin who stated that I am weaker and selfish and diong the 'yuppy steroetype' for going down the private OB route - I made a choice that works for me and my family (based on lots of facts and input from others) - how would she/you feel if I said you are too stingy to pay for the service (which is not what I think but is a similar type of value judgement)... seems the criticism can only go 1 way...