Obstetrician gender and delivery mode at a Japanese perinatal center.

We examined differences in delivery modes between deliveries managed by female obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) and those managed by male OB/GYNs at our hospital. The rate of vacuum extraction/forceps delivery was significantly lower when deliveries were managed by female OB/GYNs. Logistic regression analysis showed that the lower rate of vacuum extraction/forceps delivery was associated with a lower rate of diagnosis of nonreassuring fetal status during the second stage of labor by female OB/GYNs. The rate of cesarean delivery and obstetric outcomes did not differ with the gender of the managing OB/GYN. The increasing number of female OB/GYNs may help increase the rate of maternal satisfaction associated with the decreased rate of instrumental delivery.