Is VBAC Safe?

As former President of ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) Inc., a birth professional, and mother of three sons all born via cesarean, this issue is close to my heart. I would like you to have the information you need to make an Informed Decision. 

Connie Banack, owner of Mother Care

The July 4, 2001 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published a study and an editorial on Induction risks for women during a VBAC Trial of Labour. The study (link below) had many inaccurate press reports because of the NEJM editorial which led women to believe that VBAC was indeed an unsafe risk for pregnant women based on the editorial by Dr. Greene. Read the reports and the responses to these inaccuracies below as well as other information on cesarean and VBAC issues.

 

	New England Journal of Medicine
	Risk of Uterine Rupture during Labor among Women with a Prior Cesarean Section Volume 345:3-8 July 5, 2001
	Press Reports: AP Report - Study: Labor Risky after C-Section Reuters - Normal Delivery Riskier after C-Section Reuters - Induced Labor After C-Section Has Risks: Study ABC News - Study: Labor Risk after C-Section USA Today - Vaginal births after C-section risk uterine damage HealthScout - Risk Seen in Vaginal Delivery After C-section BMJ - Vaginal delivery after caesarean section triples risk of uterine rupture NewsWire - American College of Nurse-Midwives Calls for Definitive Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Study Canada AM Transcript
	Responses: ACNM Press Release ICAN Press Release CIMS Press Release Standing up to the VBAC-lash by Jill MacCorkle Is vaginal birth after cesarean risky? by Henci Goer VBAC: The Real News at ePregnancy.com
	Other Information: VBAC Study critique Cesareans: Are They Really A Safe Option? by Henci Goer Cesareans: Everything You Need to Know by Henci Goer Should a Woman Be Able to Choose an Elective Cesarean? Critique of ACOG Practice Bulletin, "Vaginal birth after previous cesarean section" by Marsden Wagner Things to do to Avoid an Unnecessary Cesarean "C-sections rise may not be the kindest cut" article Caesarean Births Up 22 Percent, April 20, 2001
	Other Links: ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) website www.vbac.com US Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2000

 

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