Maybe you’ve been told VBAC won’t be possible because of the pandemic. Or maybe you are wondering if VBAC is a good idea. Is the pandemic a legitimate reason for abandoning plans for VBAC? In a word: “No.” With proper management, your odds of cesarean should be about...
In Part 1 of this two-part series, we looked at the indefensibly high cesarean rate in first-time mothers and how to avoid a cesarean with a first baby. Now, let’s turn to the equally indefensible repeat cesarean rate. As I noted in part one, the U.S. cesarean rate...
A study finds that women planning VBAC feel more in control, are better supported emotionally, and use more options such as upright birth positions and water birth when attended by a midwife of their choice. The press release provides the highlights of the study’s...
A Newsweek article points to a systematic review (a study of studies) finding that doctors perform cesareans in the belief that it will protect them from being sued, but that isn't the half of what the review found. The review revealed host of other non-medical...
The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has released an updated vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) Practice Bulletin, its first in seven years. The previous version came out in 2010, shortly after the landmark National Institutes of Health...
You might be thinking this is a silly question because every competent adult has the right to make decisions about their medical care, but, in fact, doctors, hospital administrators, and lawyers don’t see it that way. I give you Exhibit A: “An ongoing fight for more...
UPI has published an article on the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) data analysis, “Perspectives on risk: Assessment of risk profiles and outcomes among women planning community birth in the United States.” As you can tell by the title, the study evaluates...
A study in the most recent issue of Birth provides eye-opening illumination on non-medical reasons for high cesarean rates (Kennedy 2016). Investigators at Yale’s med-school affiliated hospital conducted in-depth interviews eliciting opinions on how the institution...
A few weeks ago at the American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists annual meeting, Dr. Grünebaum presented his prize winning paper concluding that home VBAC resulted in worse neonatal outcomes compared with hospital VBAC. No challenge there. Other studies...
Parts 2 and 3 of the Science & Sensibility series are “The Forgotten Mothers,” and “Supporting the Mothers.” Check out the International Cesarean Awareness Network website for additional information.
The first in Henci’s new Take Charge of Your Birth Series, Labor Pain: What’s Your Best Strategy? delivers up-to-date access to the best medical research plus practical strategies for developing your plan and putting it into action. Also available in audiobook.
