Of course, but don't blame the OB after the patient makes a wrong choice..

Most women that choose VBACs are happy to discover they've made the right choice. The huge increase in C-section rates isn't because 1 out of every 3 births is an emergency. Many times Doctors (and the mothers) want to control every aspect of the birthing process instead of letting things happen naturally.

I'm glad to see articles garnering positive national attention to VBACs.

I chose VBAC for my second child. The recovery was so much easier. I can't understand why anyone would want to have a second c-section if they didn't need it.

I opted for a repeat c-section for my second child. It was the right decision. My kids can't get into my birthcanal even whe I am completely dilated and push like crazy. A VBAC attempt would have failed. My second recovery was a breeze thanks to not having labored for 28 hours previously.

A truly ignorant comment that only a sexist man could make!

You would be surprised how many women feel this way.

And that's really sad that women would rather put their baby at additional risk just to keep it tight down there.

What a complete and total idiot.

Any man or woman who thinks this way just needs a little education. Just as with stomach muscles after pregnancy, a few targeted exercises tighten these muscles right back into shape.

Beyond that, its not as if the vaginal muscles are stretched for hours on end, in most cases the time period from when the baby leaves the uterus and travels down the birth canal is very short, often only minutes. Most women won't even need the exercises. I didn't even after four vaginal births. Its the way a woman's body is intended to work.

Wow, a lot of sarcasm detectors are on the fritz tonight. It's okay - I laughed.

Yeah, because the legal climate should totally dictate what is allowed in regards to patient care. What is in the best interest of the patient shouldn't make a difference at all. Geebus.

You can thank John Edwards for that!

Well, since the authors of the recommendations are ACOG, which is comprised of OBGYN physicians, no need to "join" the obstetrician, since they are one.

How ignorant it is to assume it's a man. It very well may be, but keep your bias to yourself. The poster is hardly typical of anything.

Uh, the comments I were referring to were both made by men. Both who are uneducated about the topic. Whatevs.

Just because women are healthy doesn't mean they won't ever need a C-Section.

Also, what is with your comment "women blindly listen to the doctor. Not realizing the ramifications. A lot of women get scared and think wow I can avoid all the pain." I'm pretty you've never been faced with giving birth - it's no place for wussies. Give women some credit; most of us are fully aware that regardless of where the baby comes out it is going to hurt like hell and who are we going to trust when we're on the table? You or a trained physician?

And I'm pretty sure you really have no idea about the current climate of obstetrics in this country otherwise you wouldn't be making that assumption.

My first child was a C-section because placenta previa (where the placenta covers the opening to the cervix). My second I chose to have a C because I didn't want ANYTHING to go wrong and my OB was GREAT at C-sections. It was more painful after the second though and I might try Vbac if I ever get pregnant again.

Work harder, if you think that a vaginal birth is more painful than a c-section, you obviously have only done one and not the other. A c-section is MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY requiring a great deal of anesthetics and a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks before you're really on your feet. Vaginal birth experiences vary, but they don't compare to that. The average is 8 hours of labor and 3 to 5 day recovery. After my last I was up and running errands less than 24 hours later.

Birth is not for wussies. But life isn't for wussies either. And fear is not a reason to opt for a major surgery that has significant possibilities for complications or it's own.

Please see post 8.11 and get over yourself.

I guess I would agree more with that last comment, that they are used too often the first time around. But I have to ask a question, what is wrong with the C-section? I of course understand the need for healing after a C-section is far greater than the vaginal birth, but other than that, what is the great benefit to either the woman or the child to have a vaginal birth?

I read in the article that a VBAC can result in a rupture 1% of the time? I mean a rupture? This is why so many women used to die in child birth isn't it? Why would you risk a VBAC? I just don't see the logic.

Csections are riskier for both mother and baby. Baby can be cut (it does happen, I know someone's baby this happen too, huge gash on the face), internal organs can be knicked/cut, higher risk of hemorrhaging, higher risk of infection, risk of adhesions to the scar, risk of placenta problems in subsequent pregnancies, numbness/long term pain at scar site, respiratory issues for the baby, risk of asthma/allergies to the baby later in life (new study just came out). That's on top of the fact that recovery is much more painful, and then you can have your incision get infected or burst, etc etc etc. I can go on.

The risk for rupture is actually .4% (per NIH conference in March 2010), and the vast majority of actual 'ruptures' aren't these big blowouts that OBs like to scare patients with. I have read many birth stories of women who technically 'ruptured' but both mother and baby were fine, and it was not a complete rupture, just a small tear that was repaired during the csection.

So many women used to die in childbirth for a variety of reasons, but rupture is not one of them. More women started dying when doctors started trying to control everything, introducing infections to the body, restricting women to beds on their backs, etc.

Sorry but there's no way major surgery is going to be a safer option than a normal birth for most women.

Thanks Sarah.

That's why I asked the questions.

This article from WebMD.com should illustrate some of the risks to the mother. There are a separate set of risks for the baby, such as babies born by C- sections have higher risks of respiratory problems and are typically born earlier than nature intended.

"Women really need to understand that a C-section is major abdominal surgery," says Jan Kriebs, a certified nurse mid-wife in the University of Maryland Medical Center's obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences department. "While a team of health care professionals, including an OB, your mid-wife, and nurses work together for a successful outcome, C-sections are very serious."

The procedure involves an incision through the skin, abdomen, muscle, and then into the uterus. From start to finish, including pre- and post-op, a typical C-section lasts 3-4 hours.

"Because we do so many so often, people are lulled into a false sense of security," Hoskins says. "While the process usually works very well, we are cutting into abdomen, adjusting the organs, and making incisions near the bladder and bowel."

As a result, there could be damage to the surrounding organs, excessive bleeding, or an infection, Hoskins says.

For women who have three or more C-sections, the risk rises even further.

"The placenta could be deeply attached to the uterus because of scarring from previous C-sections, and it could be difficult to get out, which means heavy bleeding, therefore a higher chance of needing a blood transfusion, or needing hysterectomy just to save the mother's life," Hoskins says.

He says that 40% or more of women having three or more C-sections will experience these complications, so keeping the procedure limited to those that are medically necessary could be life-saving.

"Recovery from a C-section isn't easy," Economy says.

The typical hospital stay for a C-section is four days, compared to the two that new moms need after a vaginal birth, Economy says.

Immediately after the procedure is over, you'll still have a catheter in, the effects from the regional anesthesia will linger for a few hours -- which means you'll be numb from the waist down -- and you'll need narcotics for the pain.

The good news is by the next day, the catheter will come out and you'll have feeling again in your feet and legs. But you'll still need the narcotics, especially because the nurses will want you to get out of bed and move -- which will hurt -- to minimize the risk of blood clots.

C-section recovery isn't over when you go home. "Once you're out of the hospital, you can't lift anything heavier than baby for the first couple of weeks," Economy says.

And, no driving for about two weeks, no exercise for 4-6 weeks, and no sex for six weeks, Economy says.

"You are really going to feel worn down and tired after a C-section, and on top of that you have a newborn baby to take care of, so the load and the demand on your body is very high," Hoskins says. "Don't expect any great miracles before 3-4 weeks, and many women will go up to three months to be 100%."

Not to mention the year and a half of pain until your incision heals enough that you don't feel it much anymore. And, if you are lucky enough to have a c-section in a Belgian hospital like I had to, you don't go home with any painkillers either. Makes everything that much harder and more painful.

I had an emergency section with my first, a repeat section 2 years later with my second, considered VBAC 5 years later with my third, and was so ready for the section with my fourth that I went a day early! Also, with #2 I was scheduled and she cooperated perfectly. With #3 & #4 I actually went into labor and had the indignity of contractions while waiting for my doctor to get suited up and no I would not have delivered successfully VBAC! :) I was better prepared for recovery after my first. I strongly recommend to anyone having a section, get up and move as soon as you can. Get the catheter out as soon as you can. Moving is what gets your body functioning like it should! And no problems at all with any of my children. I have 3 cousins that have delivered 4 children between them all by section no problems and a niece that has delivered a singleton and twins by section no problems. I do think the way God intended for us to deliver is best but when circumstances dictate a section don't be afraid.

You can thank John Edwards (Democratic presidential candidate from North Carolina) for the increased frequency of C-sections.

My first child was an emergency c-section after 10 hours of hard pushing and his head was never visible, he was stuck in my pelvic girdle. I attempted a VBAC with my second child 3 years later, but my bladder ruptured and I ended up being knocked-out and a tube intserted down my throat, I almost died - I blame my doctor for not listening to me when I kept screaming I was in horrible pain that didn't AT ALL feel like my first labor (which I did drug-free until it became clear he wasn't coming out and had an epidural for the c-section) and the nurses who hung two liters of fluid on me and never inserted a cath because "it's not a standing order" for a vaginal birth. My third child I went to another town to be able to use a different doctor and was examined and told I had a heart-shaped pelvis and there was no way I could pass a child vaginally.

Wow... while I respect all women's rights to give birth in the way they choose there are some pretty blanket comments out there that are simply uninformed. So I will address them based on my own personal experience and that of friends of mine that had c-sections.

First: The procedure involves an incision through the skin, abdomen, muscle, and then into the uterus. From start to finish, including pre- and post-op, a typical C-section lasts 3-4 hours.

I don't know where you are getting this information from but my c-section was half that length including pre-op and post-op. From the time they took me to the OR to the time I was holding my son was only an hour and a half that included the time the doctor took to flip my son who was breach. Mine was planned and went completely smoothly.

no exercise for 4-6 weeks, and no sex for six weeks

Doctors make the same recommendations for vaginal birth regarding exercise and sexual activity. My sister just had a baby 100% naturally a month ago and they still have not cleared her for exercise just yet as her muscles and swelling have not gone down.

Not to mention the year and a half of pain until your incision heals enough that you don't feel it much anymore.

I stopped feeling pain in my incision within weeks of having my son and asked if I could exercise when he was only 4 weeks old. The doctor told me not to just to be safe.

The good news is by the next day, the catheter will come out and you'll have feeling again in your feet and legs. But you'll still need the narcotics, especially because the nurses will want you to get out of bed and move -- which will hurt -- to minimize the risk of blood clots.

I was up and walking the same day I had my son and the catheter was taken out then. The getting up hurt but the walking didn't hurt anymore than laying on the bed.

Like I said before I respect a woman's right to give birth the way she chooses and the way I chose was cesarean. I chose that method because my son was breach and I have hip displasia. I was told that I could give birth naturally after a version (where they literally push on your stomach till the baby flips which is dangerous to both baby and mother) or I could go with a cesarean the doctor recommended the version, I chose cesarean. I was also told that my baby would likely be large due to my fundal height which I later found out to be due to excess amniotic fluid not a big baby. My doctor scheduled my surgery for 6 days after my son was due and said if any time before that I went into labor they would just move up the surgery. My c-section was scheduled for monday Sept 28th and exactly 12 hours before I was supposed to have my cesarean my water broke at home. I went to the hospital and they hooked me up to all the monitors. I was not progressing and although I was having contractions they were not strong enough to be considered active labor. I took a nap and the doctor came in right when he was supposed to. As I said before my surgery was very quick. The actual cutting and pulling the baby out then stitching happened in a matter of minutes. The longest portion was the post-op recovery where they gave me pitocin to help my uterus go back to its normal size. I won't lie, I did have a bit of pain, but I was not on a lot of pain killers after my c-section. I took 2 pills a day in the hospital and only 1 a day at home for about 3 weeks. I got up and walked around 8 hours after my son was born. I really believe that is what helped my recovery. My doctor was amazing and my scar is almost completely gone only 10 months later. My son is beautiful and healthy and scored 9/9 on APGAR. He was born the day he was supposed to be born. I plan on having a cesarean with the next child as well.

I also want to say I was in the room when my sister gave birth to my nephew completely naturally and it was the most amazing experience. I have so much respect for natural childbirth but it is not for me. I do think that women should educate themselves on ALL aspects of childbirth before they even get pregnant but I think the anti cesarean rhetoric clouds the minds of many people into thinking that it will be a scary horrible experience when it doesn't have to be. I have 2 friends that had cesareans and they both had experiences similar to mine, very peaceful and a good experience. One of those friends has the same doctor I do, she had a cesarean due to breach position as well. I also have an aunt that had a horrible cesarean recovery but from the very beginning she hated the idea of a csection. She had placenta previa with her daughter and went in to labor 6 weeks early. Her c-section was no different than mine other than her daughter needing a stay in the nicu (which would have happened to a natural birth given the fact that she was a preemie) still she complained of pain long after the surgery even though her incision had healed without complication. She complained of muscle pain in other parts of her stomach which are normal after any kind of birth... I think it was all in her attitude. If you go into the surgery thinking " I can do it, this won't be that bad, I will live through it and my baby will be healthy and we will both be fine" your outlook is much more likely to be better. If you go into it with a "Oh my god, I don't want a cesarean it's going to be painful, it could hurt me, there could be complications." then you are much more likely to freak out over the slightest pain and the results won't be satisfactory no matter what the outcome.

Look, so glad your c-section experience was so blissful...but not everyone is so lucky. No, I most certainly did not want a c-section with my last baby 3 years ago. But it was not my attitude that caused me to vomit throughout the entire surgery and for 8hrs after so badly that I required IV medication to try and stop it. I was told that my 8hrs of vomiting and the extreme nausea that lasted well into the following day were a direct result of my OB's pushing on my stomach when pulling the baby out and "rummaging" around in my abdominal cavity, which is part and parcel when having a c-section. It was not my attitude that kept nurses from bringing my baby to me, I didn't get to see my daughter until 4 hours after her birth and even then I really couldn't hold and bond with her until at least 24hrs after her birth because I was so sick. The pain and discomfort I experienced for 3 months after my c-section were most certainly not in my head. I made the best of a bad situation and tried to stay positive even though I was traumatized by the unfortunate circumstances of my daughter's birth. I highly doubt thinking happy thoughts would have done me a bit of good when I was barfing every 5 minutes or when I was in too much pain to even lay in my own bed with my husband for weeks after (I had to sleep on the couch). It is ignorant to think that just because your experience was good that that is the norm. Or that a woman's bad experience is because of her bad attitude towards having a c-section. I know better than to blindly trust my doctor's and I always do my own research. If I didn't I would have stupidly believed the doctor who told me I must deliver before 38wks or else no VBAC and that my single layer sutures were a guaranteed rupture and dead baby. He lied and he used scare tactics to coerce me into having a repeat c-section for this baby (I am 15wks 4d along with baby #3). Many women experience these same scare tactics and lies which is why the ACOG has amended their VBAC guidelines...so MORE women will hopefully have this option. Yep, I HATE c-sections being performed unnecessarily.. Who in their right mind would consent to a major surgery that they didn't actually need??? I'll tell you, women who are uneducated on the real risks and complications of major abdominal surgery, blindly trust doctors without doing an ounce of personal research, simply cannot find a doctor/hospital to support her VBAC wishes thereby being forced into a surgery she doesn't need or want or they are victims of unethical scare tactics and lies that they unfortunately believe... And of course there are those that are just ignorant and don't really get why vaginal birth is so important (usually those that have never actually had a vaginal birth). The rate of cesareans recommended by the ACOG is 15% and yet the rate in America is 33%. Cesareans, when performed when absolutely necessary can in fact be lifesaving and do have a place in health care. Forced repeat c-sections when a woman is a candidate for VBAC is unethical. Period...

GK thetruth - educate yourself instead of letting Sarah spoonfeed you HER views. http://www.csections.org/versus.php Crmlapple has a great post (#8.9).

As mentioned by many here, it is a personal choice and everyone's experience is different. Women who scare other women with horror stories about childbirth aren't doing anyone a favor. I never said C-sections were better than vaginal birth; they both have their pros and cons. With regards to my comment to Concerned, it was my impression that the statement being made was that women who have, voluntarily or involuntarily, a c-section are blindly led to the table by their physicians without thought or consideration to the after affects of the surgery to both mother and baby (as Sarah also said), and all mothers who have c-sections are just trying to escape pain. Just because you have the plumbing and the plan doesn't mean the pipes are big enough or the plan fool-proof. Also, as said before, a trained and experienced physician's opinion does carry more weight than someone's advice on Newsvine.

The risk of maternal death is 4 times higher in a C-section than a vaginal birth.

rob-606455, my experience was similar to yours with my second child ( I have two and left it at that :) . Recovery was a breeze because I didn't spend over a day laboring and wearing myself and my uterus out. I bled much less the second time and I was a demanding patient. I had them remove those annoying squeeze boots as soon as I could move my legs well enough and they were tired of hearing me complain . The catheder as soon as I was able to stand and because I was whingeing about that as well and I had good reason to. They left that dang thing in too long the previous time and it cause me a world of trouble and severe pain because my sphincter muscle refused to co-operate. And as to narcotics? All I ever needed was Motrim post surgery. I refused anything stronger because I didn't need anyting. Not everyone needs narcotics. The nurses kept coming into my room every 2 hours completely confused that I really didn't want anything. 'Well don't be a hero' they admonished me. I tried to be a 'hero' last time and learned a good lesson, it's harder to get pain under control than keep it under control.

Not all docs talk their patients into C-sections. My doc discussed VBAC with me but I had made up my mind to do a repeat section after talking to two midwives. My babies don't come out even with complete dilation. Women should neither be talked into VBAC nor C-sections but be presented with all the needed information to make a good decision. I know some women who had c-sections because they were scared of labor. I think that was a mistake. But I know without c-section I wouldn't be here today typing this with my two children sleeping soundly upstairs.

Totally agree! My first was a csection after an induction, which I firmly believe was the root cause of it all.

my first was an emergency section because I reacted badly to the epidural. I started swelling and my labor stopped on the dime and my son could not move down to the birth canal because of the swelling. And yes I was given potocin after my water broke and I did not begin labor. My water broke on its on. Other than making your contractions hurt like a freight truck running you over like crazy no one else I know has ever had problems from it.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who went through that. My first child (1997) was an emergency c-section because of a bad reaction to pitocin & the epidural. I just had my second baby in Sept 09. He was supposed to be a scheduled section BUT because of high blood pressure, was an "emergency" section 2 weeks early. I was up and moving in 18 hours. We are expecting our (surprise!) third child, and based on previous experiences, I will ask for a scheduled section. I really wish the government would LEAVE OUR BODIES ALONE!

hethr77

I don't think the government is preventing you from having another section. Are they?

I wish my hospital would allow me the right to attempt a VBAC.

That's ridiculous. If the MD had been around when they were trying to induce at 42 weeks, I may have been able to achieve labor. The nurses were so incompetent (this was in Belgium where they are supposed to be mid wives), they didn't even know they had turned off the medicine for inducing me and I'd had nothing for 45 minutes after they started it. Then I ended up with a c-section immediately because the operating room (used for everything in the basement...no delivery operating room) was booked until late afternoon and the doctor didn't want to stick around. The birth of a child shouldn't be scheduled around parents' time schedule, nor medical staff. For hospital staff to make decisions based on the doctor's work schedule is unethical.

I guess we can't compare our system to Belgium. Here having babies is big business. However, what we do need, for women, in this country, is more compassionate care and less emphasis on the doctor's schedule. Of course a doctor needs time off. Maybe he/she should have chosen a specialty with more regular hours, say proctology perhaps? More midwives, less "medical" intervention.

I had a c-section with my first because he was breach, and his little rear end was sucked down into the birth canal and stuck. With my second, I chose a VBAC to attempt the delivery I had been hoping for with my first. By the time I had my third, my doctor informed me that due to malpractice insurance rules, she could not let me attempt another VBAC unless she could be there with me for the entire labor. Since she had a family, other patients, and a business to worry about, I was forced to have c-sections for both my 3rd and 4th, although I would have preferred VBAC.

In situations like mine, having a hired "laborist" at the hospital would have allowed me the freedom to chose what I felt was best for me and my babies. Instead, I had more expensive surgeries, longer hospital stays, and harder recoveries, all because some number cruncher at an insurance agency decided that c-sections were somehow safer...for his company!

Why not? Pregnancies and labor can be quite different for each child. I suppose it does depends on the nature surrounding your emergency-C, but I know many women who had emergency Cs that went on to VBAC.

Why?? I had an "emergency cesarean" with my first and went on to have a drug free, natural VBAC with my 2nd. Guess what??? My uterus didn't spontaneously combust and kill me or my now 2 year old son! WOW!!!! It's about time someone saw that vaginal birth is A LOT safer than MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY. It's called common sense people!!! All of you who are saying that this major overuse of cesareans is ok, are idiots. Sure, cesareans have their place in the medical community, BUT, a 33% cesarean rate is NOT okay.

Excellent reply from a dad!

I love this entry Troy because it is right on the money! Patients need to do what is right for them, not what is right for the doctor.

SO TRUE! I was forced by nurses onto my back while my husband and mom were asking why? I wanted to squat and have my mom and husband hold my arms, plus nurses if they wanted, the bed could go lower for safety, and they wouldn't hear of it. They said it was "crazy" to be on all fours, too. I tore with my first from having him on my back and I have a different doctor this time (after having 3 babies using the same doc/midwife team that didn't support natural labor) and will switch again if I must to find a doctor/midwife that will support my labor positions. The woman's canal is actually built like a little baby "ramp" it declines towards the ground, so being on your back is probably the worst postion, plus less blood flow and control. I say, let the woman pick and when something actually goes wrong, then treat it like a medical issue, but THEN and only then. So glad I'm not the only one that agrees with the gravity issue! :)

seems to me there should be much more respect for patients' decisions/ wishes and they should be asked to sign some sort of legal waivers when their doctors disagree with them. of course, i've offered to do that and the doctors i've dealt with won't even allow it.

Dr. Colt, I agree, and I think that lawsuits are the number one reason behind the increase in C-sections. You can't turn on the tv without seeing tons of commercials for lawyers specializing in birth injuries, and we're a very sue-happy nation. It sucks that women are taken for C-sections at the first sign of trouble, but considering the kind of society we've become, I can't really fault the physician for trying to cover his butt. OB/GYNs are the most sued doctors out of all the medical specialties.

All of the OB malpractice cases I've seen have been a case of the doctor refusing to listen to someone when they should have. Refusing to listen to a woman who says "No really, this is not normal" and orders more drugs and/or verbally pats here on the head with the 'there, there little lady', or to a nurse who is reporting problems with the monitor, etc etc etc. If the doctor is not listening and blows off concerns or outright warnings, that doctor is not going to respond appropriately. And then they make mistakes.

Totally agree, Another Mom! I was induced with my first two children because of "fluid retention" that wasn't dangerous, but the doctor convinced me would be. I was blessed and fortunate to have them without a C-section, but I got an epidural because the contractions with pitossin felt like I was dying! I had my third child totally natural, no induction, no pain meds at all and LOVED IT. I'm going to be having our fourth in February and I hope I'm blessed enough to do it all natural again! I described it to my husband, who couldn't understand why I wanted natural again this way: (for all you guys) If you have a really bad stomach virus and have diarrhea, would you want to go to the hospital and just be watched for dangers or have surgery to remove the diarrhea? He laughed and was like, I'd just go to the bathroom, it's normal. So then I asked the same question about constipation, same answer from my husband. I then explained to him, that sometimes there is a life-threatening blockage that may need attention, but usually not. So the same thing with labor, if there is no major health issue, and the woman wants to try, let her try, it's alot more natural to feel your contractions and push just like with poop. FOR THE ANGRY MOMS THAT HAD A HARD TIME WITH BIRTH, I'M SIMPLY STATING MY OWN EXPERIENCE, I'M NOT CLAIMING TO BE A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. I JUST KNOW THAT I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME WHAT I LEARNED THE HARD WAY. I NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD THE FIRST 2 EPIDURALS BECAUSE I FELT SO OUT OF CONTROL OF THE SITUATION OF LABOR AND VERY STRESSED. JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. My mom had 4 c-sections because her pelvis was narrow and she literally couldn't have pushed us out. So I know that sometimes a c-section is the only way. But as far as pain in labor, if you can handle a stomach virus, you can handle labor. It's all a blur because so much is happening and after you feel accomplished and wanting another precious angel. I hoped this helped someone who wants the achievement of a natural birth and has heard too many horror stories.

I agree with you! Bradley is absolutely the best, but all the hospitals are pushing is Lamaze, because it is dr oriented.

The hospitals around here aren't even really doing Lamaze- they're teaching a watered-down version that seems to be mostly geared towards prepping you for an epidural and their 35% c-sec rate. Oh- and an awful lot of the 'nursing is wonderful but it's toooo haaaaard for most women and here's the excuses to stop'. It is one thing to be supportive of someone who genuinely can't, but they way they approaching it is not just setting you up for failure, but frankly expecting it. And that is exactly what they're doing with birth- not just setting you up to expect c-sections as 'normal', but to expect one. If God wanted us to have a c-section a third of the time, then he should have installed a zipper!

I completely agree. VBAC should be an option and a personal choice. So should repeat C-sections. Yes, the risk of rupture is low, but I would never take the risk. A family member of mine had a VBAC and the baby died from a rupture. The article mentions the risk of rupture being low, but doesn't discuss the severity of the risks if rupture actually occurs. I had a C-section with my first because of placenta previa and a repeat C-section with my second. Both of my c-sections were a breeze and my babies were full term and healthy. I was walking the halls within 24 hours, home within 48 hours, and pushing the stroller around the block within days. Many of the horror stories you hear are from women that labored for hours or days and then needed an emergency C-section. My sister had a vaginal delivery and has needed 2 surgeries to correct the damage from her delivery. I'll take a C-section hands down any day!!

I think all women should have their choice of birthing method. But, just as women don't want to be forced to have c-sections, some of us don't want to be berated for having voluntary repeats. I agree that if it is for selfish reasons (schedules, predictability, etc) it should be avoided. However, my grandmother had a c-section with child #2 after child #1 was born with birth-induced cerebal paulsy. My mom had an emergency section with me due to cord wrapped tightly around neck & head & a planned section with my brother because of positoning. With my first child, I was determined to have him naturally, but ended up with section for same cord issue as my mom. I plan to have scheduled section with current child because it does not seem to be in the genes for me to deliver naturally. I am not willing to take the risks & neither is my Dr. Again, I agree each woman has to decide & needs to be informed, but I don't want to be told how horrible a woman/Mom I am because I went the c-section route.

I'm sorry that you were in the less than 1% category and I understand what you're saying... and I don't think any woman should be forced into anything. But you do realize that there are more risks (most deadly) from a repeat c-section then there are for a VBAC? Yes, the complication of a rupture are severe and potentially deadly, BUT maternal hemorrhage, infection, organ damage and blood clots are also severe and deadly. I'd rather risk the less then 1% (which I did, and I had a successful VBAC), then risk the MANY complications of a MAJOR abdominal surgery. But to each her own, I guess.

Your right when you were born we didnt do as many c-sections. We also didnt have the internet so people didnt diagnose themselves and with limited knowledge expect a perfect labor(whatever that is), we didnt have commercials where attorneys asked if your kid is slow give them a call, we didnt have a court system so clogged with people wanting money for taking life's risk. I have been involved in obstetrics a long time and everytime I watch a child born I realize the miracle it is. Then I have to review everything i did and chart it so if I get sued I can only hope a jury wont think my liabilty insurance is there for the taking even if I did everything right and up to professional standards. And I feel this way and have never been sued. Personal accountability for the riskes one takes in life is long gone....gotta blame someone else.

Maternal mortality used to be 16-35%. Cesaerean sections, outcomes based medical and clinical research, increased monitoring and the availability of specialist medical care has reduced the death rate for moms & babies, as well as long term disabilities. You can get along without it if you are ready to be responsible for those times when it goes bad; if you feel the process is too doctor/medically directed, then why not have your babies at home, where no one will tell you what position to deliver in, attach you to monitors, or tell you to have surgery.

I wouldn't have been born had my mom not had a C-section. For whatever reason, my heart just stopped, so they had to cut her open and get me out right away. They restarted my heart, and everything was good after that. I for one am quite thankful that we have these advances - like anything, they can be over- and mis-used, but they serve a purpose.

Maternal mortality used to be 16-35%.

Where and when? That is complete and utter BS if you're talking about the past 100 years. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the current c-section rate. When I was born 45 years ago the rate was 4.5%. The c-section rate in 1900 was far below that, yet the maternal mortality rate was about 1%.

Scare tactics. Don't use them.

Admittedly, they used forceps a LOT more, when they didn't do as many C/S, and forceps did injuries to babies and women. Most of those women were probably in 'twilight sleep' also.