This is a question that I’ve heard a lot.

Here is the three second answer: in the 90s, babies and moms were unnecessarily injured and died when VBAC labors were induced with Cytotec resulting in a high rate of uterine rupture.  Lawsuits were lost and loads of money was paid out.  Rather than taking a step back and permitting VBACs to begin spontaneously and progress normally, which has a far lower rate of rupture than induced or augmented VBACs, doctors took two steps back and declared VBAC dangerous.

For a complete understanding on the inside workings of hospital VBAC bans and how hospitals impact how an OB counsels a woman seeking VBAC, read Interview with Dr. Fischbein – An Inside Look at Hospitals & VBAC Bans.

For a complete history of VBAC and cesareans, read A History of VBACs and Cesareans in the USA by The Well Rounded Mama as well as the recent article in Time.

For more information on the dangers of inducing labors with Cytotec (misoprostol), read Cytotec Induction and Off-Label Use by Marsden Wagner, MD, MS.

To view the differing rate of uterine rupture for spontaneous, augmented, and induced labors, read Estimates of Risks of Uterine Rupture and Comprehensive chart on uterine rupture measuring multiple variables.