Six obstetricians have decided to leave Brigham and Women's Hospital for posts at Massachusetts General Hospital, moving some of the city's leading experts in childbirth to a hospital that does not currently deliver babies.

The exodus from one Harvard affiliated hospital to another was triggered by a management shakeup in the Brigham's obstetrical unit, according to an article in The Boston Globe yesterday.

Dr. Robert Barbieri, who became head of obstetrics and gynecology at the Brigham two months ago, asked two other doctors to resign. Four more obstetricians subsequently tendered their resignations to move to Massachusetts General as well, the Globe reported.

The move comes in the midst of efforts to coordinate the Harvard affiliated hospitals by reducing overlap of services. In this case, however, Massachusetts General Hospital will begin duplicating Brigham services when it starts delivering babies next year.

Dr. Isaac Schiff, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Massachusetts General, said there was no tension or lack of cooperation between the two hospitals.

"We're both Harvard teaching hospitals, very committed to the teaching ofstudents," Schiff said. "We share patients andteaching programs; we share doctor referrals withBrigham."

Far from stealing the Brigham's starphysicians, Schiff said Massachusetts General was"looking to work even closer in patient care,research, and teaching" with the Brigham.

Officials at the Brigham could not be reachedfor comment yesterday