Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

Whether they are necessary or unecessary, cesarean (surgical) births can be deeply traumatic to mothers and babies. Right now the U.S. cesarean rates are the highest they have ever been (and maternal and fetal mortality rates have not improved) and many hospitals are not allowing women to give birth vaginally after having a previous cesarean.

Birth is a major life event that significantly impacts a mother's physical and emotional well-being. A cesarean can be a life-saving procedure for a mother and/or her baby, but overall, birth by cesarean puts healthy pregnant women at risk for medical complications. Recent evidence suggests that cesarean birth, particularly if it was unexpected, may also put women at increased psychological risk. ~ VBAC.com

There are many out-of-hospital options for women desiring VBACs in the Salem area with local homebirth midwives. See my information section on Homebirth for more on the safety of out-of-hospital birth. Some area hospitals do not offer VBACs, but there are some providers who are beginning to accept VBAC clients again. Check with your hospital and provider to see if they will attend VBACs and what protocols they have surrounding them.

I have a special interest in providing VBAC support because of my own cesarean experience. I offer free phone and email support for woman recovering from a cesarean or wanting to research information for VBAC in our community. There is also a new ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) chapter in Salem that provides free monthly support meetings and education about cesarean reduction.