I think we also have to remember that private obs run their own practices too, so tehy have those patients to see, as well as other women in labour also.

I think we would all complain if our obs spent 3 hours at hospital with a lady in labour, while we were waiting for appointments with them, they are only one person and can only be in one place at once, and we pay the extra for the care we get during the pregnancy, not so much him "being there in labour".