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