The American Congress of OB/GYNs released their new vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) guidelines yesterday. In addition to citing the overwhelming evidence that VBAC is safe for women who have had one c-section, they also agreed that VBAC is safe for mom who have had two c-sections and even those women with an unknown uterine scar. Other findings included:
- VBAC is safe if you're having twins.
- You can try external versions for breeches if you've had prior c-sections.
- Epidural anesthesia is safe for use with VBAC labors.
- Inductions are fine for maternal and fetal indications in a VBAC labor, with the exception of misoprotol (cytotek).
- Women should not be forced to have surgery against their will.
What are your thoughts about the new guidelines?
Related:
Glad to hear they are finally coming around. Unfortunately I wonder how long this will take to get into the mainstream medical community. My friend, who had a C-sec in the Ft. Myers, FL area, could not find ONE practitioner willing to let her do a VBAC. And she had no medical indicators against it. It was simply their policy, and likely had to something do with their malpractice insurance provider. Uggh!
Robin – do you have a link to the article that the Congress released yesterday? It is always nice to have backing to their recommendations by being able to refer back to the article they published. Thanks!
Diane,
I’ve updated the article to include it but here is the link as well:
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr07-21-10-1.cfm
The full text is published for member in the Green journal.
I think it’s great that there is a trend in the opposite direction. I hope that it spreads like wild-fire!
Huzzah! As a mom who experienced a very successful, healing VBAC, I am happy that the guidelines have been updated. Too many scare tactics have been used in the past.
WOOOHOOO! About time!
I was so happy to hear this news. I’m trying to have a VBA2C and my doctor was telling me it was not good and it was dangerous. I’m going to share the article with her and hopefully she will let me at least TRY!! I’m posting the links I recieved from a friend. Good luck everyone!
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr07-21-10-1.cfm
http://blog.ican-online.org/2010/07/21/ican-responds-to-new-acog-guidelines-on-vbac/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38349267/ns/health
Finally, but about 6 months too late for a friend who’s doctor wouldn’t hear of it. I do wonder about the induction safety though… I mean inductions aren’t really great for women who haven’t had prior c-sections. LOL, I guess women wanting a VBAC will research enough to look into that too. Yay, for the new VBAC guidelines!