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13 myths about vaginal birth after cesarean

13 myths about vaginal birth after cesarean

by | Aug 3, 2022 | Birth myths, Cesarean section, Hospital birth, Infant Outcomes, Maternal Outcomes, Placental abnormalities, Planning your vbac, Uterine Rupture, VBAC, VBAC Bans

Over the course of the past 15 years, I have come across a lot of misinformation about VBAC. All of the myths below have come straight from readers who have asked me, “Is this true?” And every single time, the answer as been, “No.” I thought it was time to pluck out the most pervasive VBAC myths and assemble them into one article… and downloadable handout. These myths cover basic things like uterine rupture rates to difficult topics like death and logistical things like hospital policy. In the end, all of these myths confuse birthing women and people about their options making it impossible for them to make a truly informed decision between vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and elective repeat cesarean section.

Eleven things to love about ACOG’s 2017 VBAC Guidelines

Eleven things to love about ACOG’s 2017 VBAC Guidelines

by | Oct 25, 2017 | Hospital birth, Inductions, Informed consent, Language, Large/macrosomic babies, Planning your vbac, Resources for unsupportive family members, Using statistics, VBAC, VBAC after multiple cesareans, VBAC Bans, VBAC Consults

When I found out that ACOG released their new guidelines yesterday, I couldn’t wait to devour them. This morning, I had an opportunity to cuddle up with the new recommendations and I’m quite pleased. As always, there are things to like and areas where I think ACOG missed the mark. But here are the eleven good things about ACOG’s 2017 VBAC guidelines.

Calling women who plan home VBACs “stupid” misses the point

Calling women who plan home VBACs “stupid” misses the point

by | Feb 17, 2016 | Home birth, Hospital birth, Informed consent, Planning your vbac, VBAC, VBAC Bans

I’m in an online group for labor & delivery nurses where the discussion of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) at home came up. While some understood the massive VBAC barriers many women face, others simply said, “Find a hospital that supports VBAC.” I left a late-night comment stating that “finding another hospital that supports VBAC” is just not a reality in many areas of the country. It’s literally not possible. Not even in the highly populated state of California. I also suggested rather than calling women stupid or debating the validity of the decision to have a home VBAC , we should consider why women make this decision.

“Hospitals offering VBAC are required to have 24/7 anesthesia” is false

“Hospitals offering VBAC are required to have 24/7 anesthesia” is false

by | Feb 1, 2016 | Hospital birth, VBAC, VBAC Bans

In 2010, I was sitting next to an OB/GYN during a lunch break at the National Institutes of Health VBAC Conference. She was telling me about how she had worked at a rural hospital, without 24/7 anesthesia, that offered vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). I asked her what they did in the event of an emergency. “I perform an emergency cesarean under local anesthetic,” she plainly stated.

“No one can force you to have a cesarean” is false

“No one can force you to have a cesarean” is false

by | Jan 6, 2016 | Cesarean section, Legal Issues, VBAC, VBAC Bans

“No one can force you to have a cesarean.” I see this all the time in message boards. That’s just not true. Let’s start with what is ethical and legal: Yes, no one can legally force you to have a cesarean. ACOG even says in their latest VBAC guidelines that “restrictive VBAC policies should not be used to force women to undergo a repeat cesarean delivery against their will.” So even if your facility has a VBAC ban, they still cannot force you to have surgery… legally or ethically. But then you have reality: It happens all the time, but it may look different than you expect.

Free Handout Debunks...

There is a bit of myth and mystery surrounding what the American College of OB/GYNs (ACOG) says about VBAC, so let’s get to the facts, straight from the mouth of ACOG via their latest VBAC guidelines.

VBAC Facts® does not provide any medical advice and the information provided should not be so construed or used. Nothing provided by VBAC Facts® is intended to replace the services of a qualified physician or midwife or to be a substitute for medical advice of a qualified physician or midwife. You should not rely on anything provided by VBAC Facts® and you should consult a qualified health care professional in all matters relating to your health. Amazon Associates Disclosure: Jen Kamel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Created By: Jen Kamel | The Truth About VBAC™ and VBAC Facts® are trademarks of VBAC Facts® LLC and may not be used without prior written permission. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2007-2021 VBAC Facts®. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

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