The obstetric profession is in a tough spot: many obstetricians are reluctant to offer epidurals and pacemakers to pregnant women because they worry about complications and the risk of infection.

And many doctors fear that doing so could put women at greater risk of death or serious bleeding during delivery.

But some doctors are trying to make the most of a crisis that has been brewing for decades: the rise of obstetric malpractice lawsuits, a growing number of obstetrical complications, and the growing number and complexity of cases.

It’s an increasingly contentious issue that has brought together some of the most experienced obstetrician-in-training in the country.