My Rant about VBAC

I just had to take a moment, since I do have a blog, to rant a little about a subject that is important to me- I'm referring to my upcoming labor and delivery. (Don't worry, there is nothing graphic mentioned.) I just think it is so, so very important for anyone who has or is thinking about having children to be as educated as possible about what is going on. I mean, it would be great to be able to trust the doctors explicitly and know that they are doing what is best for you and your baby, but it some cases that is just not true. And not just the mothers should know what is going on, but the fathers should be responsible for their own education, also.

For those who don't know, Jack was born via c-section almost 2 years ago, and for this upcoming birth, I am planning a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). This is a somewhat controversial subject, but I feel very strongly about it for my particular situation. The c-section rate in the U.S. has reached an all-time high of 31% (and in some areas even higher), which is basically one out of every three births is done surgically. I mean, doesn't that sound a little high? And what's even worse is that although we have a very high c-section rate, we don't even have that great of a mortality rate as far as infant and mother deaths. So basically, there is a lot of unnecessary surgery going on, and not that much life-saving going on. I acknowledge, of course, that sometimes c-sections do save lives and I don't mean to make anyone feel bad if they did have one, but there are things one can do to prevent unnecessary major abdominal surgery.

If anyone wants to do any research, you might start with looking into the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) http://www.ican-online.org/. Women (and men) out there planning to have children really must be aware of the preventative measures that can be taken and the real risks of having a c-section. It's not something to be taken lightly. And I'm sure most women don't go into the situation thinking it will happen to them, but the statistics are there- 1 in 3 women will end up in surgery. Most of the time, women don't become aware of what has happened until after they have a c-section, and then do the research and find out it wasn't even necessary. It would be so much better if we could all go into it with the knowledge and preparation to prevent the c-sections in the first place. And know, too, that if you have had a c-section in the past, or even two, you do not necessarily have to have another one. Some women choose to anyway, and I'm not saying that's the wrong choice, just that it's so important to know the risks versus the benefits.

Okay, I'm done ranting and raving. If anyone really does have questions, though, please feel free to talk to me about it. And wish me luck for this birth. The goal is to avoid the operating room!