Josie's Birth Story

I keep forgetting that I haven't posted a link to Josie's birth story on this blog. In case there is anyone still following that doesn't follow my family blog, you can read her birth story here:)

Introducing

Dallin Lawrence

Born: Sunday, September 12th 2010

Weight: 7 pounds 1 oz.

Length: 19 inches

via: VBAC BABY:)

I posted his birth story (in 3 parts) on my family blog. You can read part 1 here and part 2 and 3 are right after. I am hoping to get the time to copy and paste the entire birth story onto this blog, but I've been a little busy.

VBAC Success for Joy Szabo

I posted a few months ago about Joy Szabo's story. She was the woman from Page who was planning a VBAC with her third child, and then found out that she would be forced to have a repeat c-section due to the new guidelines of her hospital. After relocating to Phoenix and finding a supportive health care provider, hospital and doula, she was able to have her VBAC.

You can read the CNN article about her VBAC experience here.

You can also read an ICAN article where they interviewed Joy here.

I think that Joy is an amazing example to other moms out there who would like their bodies and birth choices respected. She didn't give up, even when it meant moving hours away from her home and family, and accruing expenses she had not planned for. Joy had to sacrifice a lot, but she did it anyway, because she felt it was the right thing for her and her family.

I feel that it's unfortunate that she had to sacrifice so much just to have the natural birth that she should have been able to have in Page. Hopefully all the attention and media that has surrounded her story will help others to realize that there are a lot of changes that need to be made when it comes to hospital guidelines.

In my opinion, no woman should be denied the choice to birth the way she feels is best for her and her child. Mothers need options and support based on evidence based medicine, not bans and restrictions that are largely influenced by insurance policies and finances.

13 VBACs and Counting

I'm not sure how many people are fans of the TLC show 18 kids and Counting, but I LOVE it. I enjoy watching the Duggar family, and I think very highly of them. On the episode last night, Michelle and Jim Bob were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. They have been married for 25 years and have had 18 children in the process. The producers gave Michelle (the mom) the challenge of sharing about each of her children. They asked her to tell about each of their births as well as their personalities.

This is what I got from watching. I can't say that I'm 100% correct but it was my interpretation of what she shared.

Josh- Hospital birth with epidural

John David & Jana (twins)- C/S for pre-eclampsia

Jill- Natural VBAC

Jessa-Natural VBAC

Jinger- Home VBAC

Joseph- Home VBAC

Josiah- Natural VBAC

Joyanna- Natural VBAC

Jedidiah & Jeremiah (twins)-Natural VBAC

Jason- Natural VBAC
James-Natural VBAC

Justin- Natural VBAC

Jackson- C/S for breech presentation

Johannah- Natural VBA2C

Jennifer- Natural VBA2C

Jordan- C/S for transverse presentation

Michelle is a big supporter of VBAC and home birth, choosing to have cesarean sections only when it is medically necessary. I think she is a great example. It is amazing to see how many VBACs she has had even though some of Arkansas hospitals have VBAC bans.

Here is an excerpt from the Duggar family website where she discusses her decisions surrounding her births.

"As with any first time birth experience you might have fear of the unknown. As we approach each birth there are still the concerns of the unknowns such as the labor and delivery, each one has been different but having had the experience over and over does help some. Each time we have prayed for the health of mom and baby, and asked for a healthy, easy delivery.(As much as possible when were talking about labor!)

I’ve had three C-sections, one with our second birth, twins, Jana and John-David, with our 15th, Jackson and with Jordyn-Grace. All the rest have been vaginal births, 13 of which have been VBAC’s. (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) We were hoping to have another VBAC with this last delivery.

I would say the greatest change that I have seen in the field of obstetrics, and I might add that it is very troubling to me, is the idea that once you’ve had a C-section you must have a C-section for any other pregnancy. It is much healthier for mom and baby to avoid major surgery and all the complications that go along with a C-section if possible. Granted, there are health situations that would warrant such, but for years obstetrics encouraged TOL (Trial Of Labor after previous C-section) with many successful healthy vaginal births. It was quite alarming to be told that I could no longer have a vaginal birth due to hospital or insurance companies regulations. It appears that what is best for the patient is not the priority with this decision.

I feel our health care is being jeopardized by this unhealthy approach. Doctors are having to tell their patients that they no longer offer VBAC assistance due to hospital regulations and some might even state to the patient that they are not safe so as to avoid confrontation. Statistics prove much differently.

For the many women that find themselves in this situation, ICAN is an organization that is very helpful in gaining more information on this topic. One of which I believe will be reversed in the near future as more women make a clear statement to health care providers and insurance companies as to how they would prefer to deliver there babies in a safer, healthier manner. (Now I will step off my soapbox!)
We are thankful our hospital allows trying a VBAC as long as they have an anesthesiologist on hand in case there is an emergency."

Michelle is expecting again, and I am curious as to whether or not she will have the support of her provider to attempt another VBAC after 3 c-sections.