13 myths about vaginal birth after cesarean
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.
Vaginal birth after three or more cesareans (VBA3C/VBAMC): An overview of the evidence
Vaginal birth after three or more cesareans (VBA3C/VBAMC): An overview of the evidence Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Like After someone has a cesarean section, they often wonder if they will always have to have a cesarean for future deliveries. While “once a cesarean,...
Vaginal birth after two cesareans (VBA2C): An overview of the evidence
Vaginal birth after two cesareans (VBA2C): An overview of the evidence Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Like As is the case with vaginal birth after one cesarean, (VBA1C), vaginal birth after two cesareans (VBA2C) is a reasonable option that is often difficult for people to...
Uterine rupture survival story teaches two lessons
Having a prior uterine surgery increases the risk of uterine rupture. The relative risk is still low, but it’s there. Other factors can push that risk higher (such as induction.) But sometimes there is no “reason” for a uterine rupture other than a prior cesarean. Uterine rupture stories illustrate that even though the risk is ~ 0.4% (among those with one prior low transverse cesarean in a spontaneously laboring VBAC), that small number impacts real parents & babies.
“Three times the risk?:” What the large Canadian VBAC study really says
A VBAC study out of Canada reported, “Absolute rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality were low but significantly higher after attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery compared with elective repeat cesarean delivery.” After reading the abstract, and full text, I could quickly see how this study will be misinterpreted by many, so let me walk you through it.
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