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Hoping for Vaginal Birth
How to Avoid Having a Cesarean Section
By Laura Cone
For Jackie de Batista of Pecatonica, Ill., the last three hours she was in labor with her second child, now 3, were painful – but she knew she could do it with the support of her husband Marcelo.
Experts say an empowered attitude and the support of a partner or doula may help women avoid unnecessary Cesarean sections, but women may be powerless to prevent one if they select a health care provider that promotes C-sections.
"My family was here to support me and the midwife was great," says de Batista, who had a vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) at home with the help of a nurse midwife. "I could sit in my bathtub. My husband caught the baby. My sister was there helping me during the birth. The best part was after the baby was born, just to be able to slide into your own bed and be at home."
Researchers say women seeking VBAC have an increased risk of complications requiring hospital management. Women with previous Cesarean sections have higher rates of maternal and neonatal complications.
With the birth of her first daughter, now 6, de Batista labored for three days. Her physician gave her a "failure to progress" Cesarean section.
She had hoped to have a vaginal birth with her third child, now a 1-year-old. "I think the biggest key to preventing a Cesarean section is having a VBAC-friendly provider," de Batista says. "That is No. 1. That's what I did not have with my son and why I believe I ended up having a C-section with him."
Because of hospital insurance changes, the certified nurse midwife who attended her second child's birth could not help de Batista when she became pregnant with her third child. "Her doctor could not back her up on a VBAC anymore as she was able to before," de Batista says. "I went with a doctor who needed an obstetrician backup for her birth. She was very VBAC friendly, but the obstetrician backing her up was not."
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Re: Hoping for Vaginal Birth by Shelley on 09/23/2008 11:42AM
I had a vaginal birth after a c-section, and I think having a doula was key. She encouraged me throughout my pregnancy and during the birth. I highly recommend a certified doula!