A local leader of ICAN ( International Cesarean Awareness Network ) O’Fallon MO tells her story of how she became empowered and made the choice to have a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).  She also answers women’s most commonly asked questions regarding cesarean and VBAC. 

As women we have a great power to CHOOSE what is right and best for our own bodies and babies.  This post on VBAC is to open your eyes to the truth, the possibilities, and the choice you can make instead of becoming an unneccesary statistic! 

Find out everything you want to know about cesarean’s and your options for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean at http://www.theunnecesarean.com/.  Just one of the important facts we as women must look at when exploring this topic.

“Our repeat cesarean rate feeds America’s rising total cesarean rate, currently at 32% (Menacker, 2010).  The World Health Organization (WHO, 2009) warns against total cesarean rates higher than 15% and indicates that at least half of American cesareans could be unnecessary.  Declercq (2009) links our high cesarean rate with our high maternal mortality rate relative to other developed countries.”

     So let’s get to the bottom of why this is happening.  The first reason was the shift that birth made in the 1950′s.  Birth became “a procedure” that left the women’s needs, wants, and opinions outside the 4 walls of the hospital.  Doctors became trained surgeons and the whole perspective of women giving birth naturally with guidance, coaching and assistance became a thing of the past. 

    Secondly, letting the process of birth unfold on it own time has become an interference to hospital procedures, doctor’s schedules and let’s not forget a woman’s own schedule and lack of confidence in letting birth happen naturally.  Aside from true medical risk to the mother and baby the road of intervention during  child birth is alarming.

    The only way we can change this is by voicing that we want something different.  One woman and one birth at a time.  Organizations like ICAN and the website http://www.theunnecesarean.com give us a plethora of education and support on the research, information, and resources to help us to not be a part of the rising cesarean statistic in our country.

     But, bottom line you have to want it.  You have to want to be empowered and informed on what kind of experience you want during your child birth, whether it is your first or fifth.  We can’t control our experience or outcomes but we can be a voice of power and surround ourselves with the environment and healthcare team (doctors, midwives, and doulas) that support our wants and needs during our birth experience.

    So, don’t go into birth blind.  Find out what leads to such a high rate of ceseareans in our country.  Take the action steps to avoid the list of interventions that lead to cesarean.  Become aware of what you want and do everything you can to experience the outcome you desire.