09/28/2026
This post is brought to you by US medical professionals who dominate social media but whose obstetrical recommendations don’t always align with what the rest of the world is doing, nor are they always evidence based.
Here’s the thing, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have their recommendations and position statements. But they are based on a highly litigious, insurance-controlled, for-profit health care system with the worst maternal-fetal outcomes amongst Western countries. That doesn’t mean those positions aren’t good or evidence based, but the context of them is important.
In Canada, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologosts (SOGC) has its own recommendations, based on our healthcare system. And we have better outcomes.
One example of difference is routine IV access in labour. The US recommends it. Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, and India are just some of the countries that don’t. Likely because the World Health Organization explicitly recommends against it.
SO, just because someone on social media is a doctor, a midwife, a nurse, or any other credentialed profession, it does not mean that their information is accurate for us here in Canada. And in fact, it ends up creating a lot of fear with Canadian patients that simply isn’t necessary.
Now, before I get accused of giving medical advice - the most important thing you can do is ask YOUR doctor or midwife about what is right for YOUR labour. Because they have your medical information, know the hospital or birth centre you are birthing at, and know you.
