| DISCLAIMER: | | | | be. He/she may even say something like, "No |
| This article contains the personal opinions of | | | | mother in their right mind would risk their baby's |
| Angela Hoy, who encountered resistance from | | | | life by having a VBAC!" The release forms are |
| the medical community when attempting a Vaginal | | | | often downright horrific. |
| Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). Angela is not a | | | | But, has he/she even mentioned the dangers of a |
| healthcare provider. Before you make any | | | | c-section? Studies show more can go wrong with |
| healthcare decisions, or change your medical plans | | | | a c-section than a vaginal birth - even a VBAC. |
| in any way, you must consult your physician or | | | | Sure, you can die during a VBAC, but you can |
| other licensed healthcare practitioner. | | | | also die during a c-section. |
| If you've had a cesarean section (c-section) and | | | | 6. Find a provider that absolutely supports VBACs. |
| you're now wanting to attempt a vaginal birth | | | | You can find midwives in your area by searching |
| after cesarean (VBAC), chances are pretty good | | | | online. Some midwives will know doctors who |
| you're encountering resistance from your | | | | support VBACs. Also, ask your primary care |
| Obstetrician, the hospital where you plan to give | | | | physician (not your Ob/Gyn) or his/her nurse or |
| birth, and even family and friends. If you are | | | | secretary to help you find an obstetrician that |
| willing to fight the system, you can attempt a | | | | allows VBACs. My primary care physician first |
| VBAC. Don't let anyone tell you that you are NOT | | | | found a hospital (an hour away - not bad) that |
| allowed a say in your own medical care! | | | | allowed VBACs and then found an Obstetrician in |
| Here are 10 things you can do now to get on the | | | | that town who also supported VBACs. |
| road to attempting a VBAC. | | | | 7. Consider giving birth at home. Studies show |
| 1. Don't assume your doctor is being honest with | | | | giving birth at home can be just as safe as giving |
| you. He/she may very well believe in VBACs, but | | | | birth in a hospital. Hospitals use interventions that |
| their liability insurance company or even the | | | | can affect a successful, safe vaginal delivery. In |
| hospital's insurance company may not permit | | | | fact, the more interventions they use, the worse |
| them to offer VBACs. The doctor isn't likely to | | | | things can go wrong. A domino-effect can occur. |
| share this information with you. You'd be surprised | | | | If you give birth at home, on your own terms, |
| to know how much of our medical care is | | | | you can avoid these often unnecessary |
| regulated by insurance companies, not by doctors. | | | | interventions. |
| We were never told our hospital didn't allow | | | | IMPORTANT! Studies show that chemically |
| VBACs. We only learned of their policy after doing | | | | inducing labor can increase the risk of a ruptured |
| extensive research. | | | | uterus in a VBACing mom! |
| 2. Don't completely believe them if they say, | | | | 8. READ! READ! READ! The most inspirational |
| "Sure, you can have attempt VBAC!" Research | | | | book I read about natural childbirth was Ina May's |
| research research! Has your doctor had any | | | | Guide to Childbirth ( Another great one that gives |
| VBAC patients who were successful? Does the | | | | a lot of detail about how the medical industry can |
| hospital even allow VBACs? Your doctor may tell | | | | affect midwives and birthing moms is Baby |
| you, sure, you can VBAC, but may then find | | | | Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife |
| "problems" later and schedule you for a c-section. | | | | ( I couldn't put that one down. |
| They know, by that time, it will be too late for | | | | 9. Believe in yourself and your body's ability to do |
| you to find a new doctor. My obstetrician told me | | | | what it was created to do! Just because a doctor |
| I could attempt a VBAC. Months later, after I'd | | | | tells you can't or shouldn't do something doesn't |
| fired him, the hospital called me to schedule a | | | | mean you can't or shouldn't do it! Almost every |
| consultation with their anesthesiologist for my | | | | woman who has successfully had a VBAC |
| "scheduled c-section." A ha!! | | | | (studies say 60%-80% of women who attempt a |
| Also, when a local reporter asked our nearby | | | | VBAC are successful) encountered resistance, not |
| hospital, who refused to say they wouldn't allow | | | | only from doctors and hospitals, but also from |
| VBACs, when their last VBAC was, they didn't | | | | their own family and friends! |
| answer the question. | | | | 10. Know you're not alone. Women have been |
| 3. Know your doctor's or hospital's possible | | | | giving birth since the beginning of time. There are |
| financial motives. It costs a LOT more to have a | | | | countless women across the globe who are |
| c-section in a hospital than it does to have a | | | | pregnant at the same time you are. There are |
| natural birth. Hospitals and doctors would much | | | | women in labor when you are in labor. There are |
| rather bill your insurance company $10K or more, | | | | women attempting VBACs while you're |
| rather than half that much. | | | | attempting your VBAC. You are NOT alone and |
| 4. Know your doctor's or hospital's possible | | | | you can do it! For support, you can come to my |
| convenience motives. It's a lot easier, and often | | | | blog and share your story. See: |
| faster, for a hospital to schedule an appointment, | | | | That said, you should know the possible |
| cut you open, and stick you in a recovery room. | | | | risk-factors for a ruptured uterus, including the |
| Labor often takes a long time, involves a variety | | | | type of incision used during your previous |
| of medical specialists who need to be available | | | | c-section, certain drugs physicians (and some |
| around the clock, and is completely unpredictable. | | | | midwives) give to induce/enhance labor, and |
| Rather than allowing your body to do what it | | | | more. You absolutely MUST research VBACs (and |
| knows how to do, some in the healthcare field | | | | c-sections) thoroughly so you will not only make |
| would rather take complete control of a perfectly | | | | the best decision for you and your baby, but also |
| natural process, for their own convenience. | | | | so you'll know if a healthcare practitioner is about |
| 5. Listen closely. Your doctor may give you a long, | | | | to do something to you that may affect your |
| scary diatribe about how dangerous a VBAC can | | | | and your baby's health...and even life. |