[Facts on the topic "gentle birth": a representative survey of Austrian gynecologists]

With regard to discussions in the public being held in this country throughout the past months, a representative inquiry was carried out among Austrian gynaecologists and obstetricians. Aim of the study was to determine the percentage of obstetricians performing the so-called "birth without violence" according to Leboyer as well as their opinion to this alternative obstetrical thinking: Approximately one half of Austrian gynaecologists is carrying out so-called "births without violence." However, the vast majority of them (78%) prefers for their own wives and their own children "electronic fetal monitoring" during labour and delivery. Analysis of our data according to the age of the doctor, the geographic region of his office, and the number of treated patients shows a considerable discrepancy between performance and personal preference of "alternative" obstetrical methods. These results should be taken into account for further discussions in the public about "births without violence", as obstetricians are among all professions those experts who can estimate the risks of pregnancy and delivery best.