Glendale Adventist ignores national guidelines, violates patient autonomy, bans natural birth for breech babies.
Last week, Glendale Adventist Medical Center created a policy outright banning vaginal breech birth. Although many hospitals have de facto bans, meaning there aren't providers who offer this service, there isn't any other hospitals that we are aware of that have this outright ban.
GAMC is fortunate to have one of the most skilled breech practitioners in the country. Dr. Wu is an honored physician who has assisted women with vaginal breech birth for more than 40 years. And while this policy appears to affect the entire obstetric department, the reality is, it’s directed at this one specific provider, making it seem punitive and unnecessary.
We are concerned that this change seems to be motivated by political and perceived financial concerns instead of what is in the best interest of mothers and babies.
This is a policy that forces women into cesarean sections without respect to patient autonomy in decision-making and their legal right to informed consent and refusal.
We believe there is much evidence to support VBB that was not considered by those involved in this decision. Basing a policy on flawed information and perceived but not actual liability is an erroneous precedent.
We will rally to bring awareness to this unethical policy and we hope you will join us.