A Labor and Delivery Nurse’s Views on VBAC
Nothing gets my ears perked up and my excitement stirred than chatting about birth. To be even more specific about what really gets my juices flowing are discussions surrounding VBAC births; vaginal birth after cesarean. It might make more sense to know that I am a labor and delivery nurse by trade and a mommy at heart. I get the pleasure of escorting new little souls into this life each and every shift and participate in someone’s best day and, unfortunately, sometimes their worst. I work at a Portland-area hospital and we see everything from the most natural, “normal,” labor and delivery patient to the most tragic, life-threatening situations; needless to say, it is a very special, very dynamic job and I am blessed to be a part of it. [...]
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VBAC Less Risky Than Multiple C-Sections
The National Institute for Health issued a report this week titled, Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: New Insights. The report presents evidence to support the choice of a trial of labor (TOL) as a safe option for women who have had previous c-sections.
The conclusion of the report states, “Each year 1.5 million childbearing women have cesarean deliveries, and this population continues to increase. This report adds stronger evidence that VBAC is a reasonable and safe choice for the majority of women with prior cesarean. Moreover, there is emerging evidence of serious harms relating to multiple cesareans. Relatively unexamined contextual factors such as medical liability, economics, hospital structure, and staffing may need to be addressed to prioritize VBAC services. There is still no evidence to inform patients, clinicians, or policymakers about the outcomes of intended route of delivery because the evidence is based largely on the actual route of delivery. This inception cohort is the equivalent of intention to treat for randomized controlled trials and this gap in information is critical. A list of future research considerations as prioritized by national experts is also highlighted in this report.” [...]
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Why Are There So Many C-Sections?
You probably know a few women who have had c-section births and may wonder “Will I have to have one too?” The answer may lie in the type of prenatal care provider you choose and how much personal responsibility you take for the birth of your child. Recent studies put the c-section rate in the U.S. at over 30% and show it trending upward still. Because health care typically pays doctors and hospitals more for a quick c-section than it does for long, drawn-out vaginal births, there is more incentive to perform surgery and get patients in and out quickly. It’s safe to say that the health care system is providing incentives for c-sections and if you put your birth in the hands of a doctor or hospital who is paid by the insurance providers you likely have a 30% chance of having a c-section yourself—unless, of course, you have carefully selected a provider with a low c-section rate, educated yourself about the birth process and are willing to advocate for what’s in the best interest of your health and that of your unborn baby. [...]
Is Natural Birth Right for You?
There is probably no topic more hotly debated amongst mothers and healthcare professionals than the one of using pain medication versus natural childbirth. How a woman and her partner plan for the birth of their child is an extremely personal decision-making process. Every expectant mother has heard birth stories, whether positive or negative, which influence her thinking about labor and birth. Her hopes and expectations have been shaped by her own family history, television shows, pregnancy books and her friends’ birth experiences. [...]
What is a Doula?
This wonderful article was written by my cousin’s wife, Hannah Reasoner, who is a doula in Ft. Worth, TX. Check out her blog for more information.
A doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth. She understands the physiology of birth and the needs of a laboring woman.
The role of the birth doula greatly depends on the woman and family for whom she is providing care. The doula’s main purpose is to be a friend, a mentor, and a helper to the mother, as well as a support to her partner and/or family. If the mother chooses a doula in the early stages of pregnancy, the doula can help to provide information and education for several months leading up to the birth. This can also help the mother and family build an established, comfortable, and trusting relationship with the doula. [...]
