Thoughts on VBA3+C (VBAC after three or more prior cesareans)

A mom recently asked over on the VBAC Facts Community, “Does anyone have some facts on vab3c?” I provided this mish-mash of info… [...]

The best compilation of VBAC/ERCS research to date

“There is a major misperception that TOLAC [trial of labor after cesarean] is extremely risky” – Mona Lydon-Rochelle MD, March 2010. “In terms of VBAC, “your risk is really, really quite low” – George Macones MD, March 2010. Both Drs. Macones and Lyndon-Rochelle are obstetricians and researchers who made these statements at the 2010 NIH [National Institutes of Health] VBAC Conference. Now you may think, “Wait a sec. Everything I’ve heard from my family, friends, and medical provider is how risky VBAC is and how cesareans are the conservative, prudent, and safest choice.” Why the discrepancy between the statements of these two doctor researchers and the conventional wisdom prevalent in America? [...]

Placenta problems in VBAMC/ after multiple repeat cesareans

I thought that I would take the data from the Silver (2006) that I’ve previously discussed and share it in a different way that would be helpful to women with multiple prior cesareans. (You might find it worthwhile to read this article specifically, where you can view the data below in graphs, as well as [...]

Just kicking the can of risk down the road

If primary and secondary cesarean rates continue to rise as they have in recent years, by 2020 the cesarean delivery rate will be 56.2%, and there will be an additional 6236 placenta previas, 4504 placenta accretas, and 130 maternal deaths annually. The rise in these complications will lag behind the rise in cesareans by approximately 6 years. [...]

ACOG issues less restrictive VBAC guidelines

Removing the “immediately available” standard while supporting VBAC with twins, after two prior cesareans, and with unknown scars is a huge step in the right direction. It seems that the option of VBAC is now available to hundreds of thousands of women, many of whom, up to this point, were left with no choice at all. [...]

Inspiring VBA3C Video

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Women gives birth vaginally in her car after three cesareans (VBA3C)

I love this! I meet women all the time whose confidence in their bodies has been dashed by the “failure to progress” diagnosis they received in past labors. This woman had three cesareans, all with that same diagnosis, because, as she says, she got to the hospital to early. And look what happens when she [...]

Birth Story: Twin Vaginal Birth After Two Cesareans (VBA2C)

Two weeks ago, a woman gave birth.

Two weeks ago, a woman gave birth vaginally.

Two weeks ago, a woman gave birth vaginally after two cesareans.

Two weeks ago, a woman gave birth vaginally after two cesareans to twins.

And it happened in a hospital.

She is an incredible inspiration.

There were elements that could [...]

Rupture rate 10% for VBA2C with prior vaginal birth within one year of last cesarean?

I just read a blog where a woman, with a prior vaginal birth and two cesareans, was told that her risk of uterine rupture was 5%. She was also told that since her VBAC would be within one year of her cesarean, her rupture risk doubled to 10%. It just breaks my heart to read [...]

Uterine rupture risk drops significantly after first VBAC

As we know, the risks of cesareans increase with each surgery which is why family size should be considered when evaluating your post-cesarean birth options. Couple that fact with the results of Mercer (2008) which found that successful VBAC also provides a level of protection to future deliveries.

Mercer found that not only do the [...]