Evening primrose oil: “Don’t use it if you are pregnant?”
Many pregnant women and midwives use evening primrose oil (EPO) for cervical ripening. So I was surprised at the lack of evidence on the effectiveness and safety of EPO use among pregnant women. There are only two studies that examine the oral use EPO and its ability...
Myth: 50% of uterine ruptures occur before labor
Becky recently ask this question: I read somewhere that the risk of uterine rupture is actually higher during pregnancy than during birth. Does anyone have a source for this? Becky, I had heard the same thing many times. However, no one who shared this stat with me...
Thoughts on VBAC after three or more prior cesareans
Note regarding “TOLAC.” When reading from medical texts, remember that you are no longer in the land of emotion and warm fuzzies. Rather, envision that you have been transported to another world, a clinical world, where terms like TOLAC/TOLAMC, or trial...
VBAC bans, exercising your rights, and when to contact an attorney
A mom recently left this comment and I thought many other women likely have the same question. Keep in mind that this article does discuss American law which may not be applicable to other countries. ________________________________________ Jen, First thank you for...
Does the term “TOLAC” tweak you?
On the acronym TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean)…. Some studies break out statistics in four ways. 1. ERCS/D (elective repeat cesarean section/delivery) 2. VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) 3. CBAC (cesarean birth after cesarean aka cesarean after planned...
New VBAC documentary “Trial of Labor”
I’m so excited for the latest VBAC documentary, “Trial of Labor,” to come out! One of the filmmakers, Robert Humphreys, attended a course I taught in Los Angeles in March 2010 so I feel a special connection to this project which has ICAN’s...
False comparison: Fatal car accidents and VBAC
RETRACTION/ CORRECTION: I originally posted this article challenging the thought that you are more likely to die in a fatal car accident than during a VBAC. I tried to crunch the numbers in the way that I felt most accurate. However, it has been bugging me ever...
Can you feel a uterine rupture with an epidural?
Some care providers discourage epidurals in VBAC moms fearing that it will mask the symptoms of uterine rupture (namely abdominal pain) and delay diagnosis resulting in a poor outcome for baby and to a lesser extent, mom Other care providers suggest or even require...
Myth: Two numbers less than 1% are similar
I have often heard, “If two numbers are less than 1%, they are similar.” Typically this is expressed while comparing the risks of rupture in an unscarred versus scarred uterus. But is this true? How different can two numbers less than 1% be? Two...
Myth: VBACs should never be induced
Note: Since this article was published, ACOG released new VBAC guidelines in 2017 and 2018. Both maintain that LAC (labor after cesarean) induction remains an option. Many of the comments left at the Forced Cesarean story questioned the safety of LAC induction. Many...
