Hearing begins for Cape Breton gynecologist accused of professional misconduct

A woman testifying at a hearing of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia on Monday broke down sobbing as she described the experience of her first child birth four years ago.

The woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, is one of three people to complain about treatment they received from Dr. Manivasan Moodley, an obstetrician and gynecologist who practises in northeastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.

The woman testified that Moodley performed a surgical procedure on her that she expressly told him not to do. She said she felt helpless that her wishes were being ignored and the experience has left her with a distrust of the health-care system.

The woman told the hearing that she had done extensive research on child birth and had a very clear idea of what she wanted for the experience.

However, she admitted under cross-examination by Moodley's lawyer, Muneeza Sheikh, that she had not communicated her other expectations to Moodley or the nurses working in the hospital delivery room that night. Moodley was not the woman's regular obstetrician. He was the one on call that night.

8 days set aside for hearing

The woman said she only learned afterwards that Moodley had performed the procedure when one of the nurses who'd been in the delivery room told her and her partner.

The nurse and the woman's partner are scheduled to testify at the hearing.

The woman said Moodley ruined what she said was the "golden hour," that period immediately following child birth when an infant is placed on its mother's chest and the skin-to-skin contact cements the bond between the two.

The woman said she was in too much pain to hold her child during that period and Moodley didn't offer her painkillers. But she also admitted to Sheikh that she didn't ask for the painkillers because she expected medical staff to offer them.

While the woman said she suffered a great deal of pain and trauma, her child is healthy.

She also said that, upon reflection, she should not have used words like "ultimatum" and "threat" to describe how Moodley spoke to her that night. She said she stopped communicating with Moodley leading up to the hearing because it was too upsetting for her.

Unusual request

The hearing got off to a somewhat unusual start with a request by lawyers for the college to ban the public — but not the media — from the hearing.

The lawyers cited rallies and social media posts by some of Moodley's supporters as cause for concern, saying they fear complainants and witnesses could be subject to intimidation. The request was granted.

At least eight days have been set aside for the hearing, although lawyers for both sides were already saying on Monday that more time would likely be needed. Moodley is scheduled to testify in his own defence next week.

This is not the first time he has run into trouble with the college. Four years ago, he was found guilty of professional misconduct and had his licence suspended for five months following complaints from two women.