| Currently the right of a woman to be involved | | | | greater risk for uterine rupture than what |
| in her birth plan is being crushed under the | | | | was once believed. Uterine rupture can be |
| weight of new laws and strict healthcare | | | | life threatening for both the mother and her |
| limitations that prevent a vaginal birth | | | | baby. Some patients with uterine rupture may |
| after having had a cesarean delivery. | | | | require a hysterectomy and some infants may |
| | | | die. The controversy that arises with the |
| Are you hoping to experience a vaginal birth | | | | risks associated with vaginal birth after |
| after having had a cesarean delivery? You may | | | | cesarean delivery is that many women are |
| find your hopes are squelched by modern | | | | willing to take the risk, but their freedom |
| practitioners. | | | | of choice over who controls childbirth is |
| | | | being steamrolled by physicians and |
| Hospitals around the country are now banning | | | | hospitals. Women are not being allowed to |
| vaginal birth after cesarean delivery and | | | | have a choice in their mode of delivery. |
| insisting women undergo repeat cesarean | | | | Doctors say their position is based on |
| delivery. Hospitals say they cannot comply | | | | concern for the patient's safety. |
| with the guidelines issued in 1999 by the | | | | |
| American College of Obstetricians and | | | | Doctors now have a new worry that women |
| Gynecologists. The guidelines call for a | | | | trying to avoid repeat cesarean delivery may |
| doctor to be available "immediately" | | | | give birth at home or in birthing centers |
| throughout active labor when a woman is | | | | that are not equipped to perform emergency |
| attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean | | | | cesarean surgeries if necessary. Also of |
| delivery, in order to perform an emergency | | | | concern is the possibility that laboring |
| cesarean section if needed. Previous | | | | patients may wait to the last moment to go to |
| guidelines had called for a physician to be | | | | the hospital to avoid repeat cesarean |
| "readily" available. In order for a hospital | | | | section. |
| to comply with the new recommended | | | | |
| guidelines, a whole operating crew, an | | | | The controversy surrounding vaginal birth |
| anesthesiologist and obstetrician would have | | | | after cesarean delivery is not only a health |
| to be in the hospital around the clock. Only | | | | care issue, it is becoming a women's civil |
| major medical centers, with in house | | | | rights issue. A woman should have the right |
| physicians, will be able to continue to offer | | | | to choose her mode of delivery. Currently the |
| vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. | | | | right of a woman to be involved in her birth |
| Smaller hospitals may now have to abandon the | | | | plan is being crushed under the weight of new |
| practice. | | | | laws and strict healthcare limitations that |
| | | | should be a cause for concern for all women |
| Why the controversy? Women attempting vaginal | | | | across the nation. |
| birth after cesarean delivery are at a | | | | |