Hospitals are now banning vaginal birth after cesarean delivery
Are you hoping to experience a vaginal birth after having had a
cesarean delivery? You may find your hopes are squelched by
modern practitioners.
Hospitals around the country are now banning vaginal birth after
cesarean delivery and insisting women undergo repeat cesarean
delivery. Hospitals say they cannot comply with the guidelines
issued in 1999 by the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists. The guidelines call for a doctor to be available
"immediately" throughout active labor when a woman is attempting
a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, in order to perform an
emergency cesarean section if needed. Previous guidelines had
called for a physician to be "readily" available. In order for a
hospital to comply with the new recommended guidelines, a whole
operating crew, an anesthesiologist and obstetrician would have
to be in the hospital around the clock. Only major medical
centers, with in house physicians, will be able to continue to
offer vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. Smaller hospitals
may now have to abandon the practice.
Why the controversy? Women attempting vaginal birth after
cesarean delivery are at a greater risk for uterine rupture than
what was once believed. Uterine rupture can be life threatening
for both the mother and her baby. Some patients with uterine
rupture may require a hysterectomy and some infants may die. The
controversy that arises with the risks associated with vaginal
birth after cesarean delivery is that many women are willing to
take the risk, but their freedom of choice over who controls
childbirth is being steamrolled by physicians and hospitals.
Women are not being allowed to have a choice in their mode of
delivery. Doctors say their position is based on concern for the
patient's safety.
Doctors now have a new worry that women trying to avoid repeat
cesarean delivery may give birth at home or in birthing centers
that are not equipped to perform emergency cesarean surgeries if
necessary. Also of concern is the possibility that laboring
patients may wait to the last moment to go to the hospital to
avoid repeat cesarean section.
The controversy surrounding vaginal birth after cesarean delivery
is not only a health care issue, it is becoming a women's civil
rights issue. A woman should have the right to choose her mode of
delivery. Currently the right of a woman to be involved in her
birth plan is being crushed under the weight of new laws and
strict healthcare limitations that should be a cause for concern
for all women across the nation.
If you are considering a vaginal birth after cesarean, be certain
to discuss your options completely with your healthcare provider.
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_36.htm
Dr. James Brann is a board certified Obstetrician and
Gynecologist and a Fellow of the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is also Editor of Women's
Healthcare Topics.
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com
At Women's Healthcare Topics website you will find valuable and
up-to-date information on numerous topics related to women's
health including <a
href="http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com">Signs of Pregnancy.
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