WOMEN'S expectations of pain-free birth are artificially raised in today's society, a doctor accused of using undue force to deliver babies said yesterday.

In reality, labour is "painful and bloody" and fathers should not be present during an instrumental birth because they would find it "shocking", said Dr Janusz Wszeborowski, 67.

Allegations that Dr Wszeborowski was heavy handed in his delivery of babies and rough in his examination of several women were dismissed yesterday by a medical colleague.

Professor Murdoch Elder, obstetrician and gynaecologist, told the General Medical Council's professional conduct committee: "I don't think there is any relationship between forceps marks and excessive force."

In one case, Lesley Pallister's son, James, was delivered with his head swollen to twice its normal size.

He had a black eye and a cut to his ear, the General Medical Council was told earlier in the week.

Dr Wszeborowski, who saw the women at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, used forceps, pulling so hard that he dragged the hospital bed across the floor, even though the wheel brakes were on, she said.

Prof Elder said yesterday: "This may be perceived as undue force, but it is not. It is necessary manipulation."

Dr Wszeborowski said he felt that doctors and midwives were frightened to tell patients the truth that there could be complications.

He said: "I saw a training video in the department which is shown to mothers and everything is lovely."

Dr Wszeborowski is charged with using excessive force to deliver three babies and his treatment of their mothers is alleged to have been "inappropriate and insensitive".

The doctor, of Shotley Gardens, Gateshead, denies serious professional misconduct.