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