NWA Hospitals Adopt New VBAC Policies
Press Release: NWA Hospitals Adopt New VBAC Policies
Once a cesarean—next time a normal delivery
Northwest Arkansas—Following new guidelines released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in July 2010, the Northwest Medical system has begun supporting the option of vaginal delivery for women who have had a previous cesarean section (known as vaginal birth after cesarean, or VBAC).
The ACOG recommendations state that VBAC is a safe and reasonable option for most women, including some women with multiple previous cesareans, twins, and unknown uterine scars. ACOG also states that respect for patient autonomy requires that even if an institution does not offer trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC), a cesarean cannot be forced, nor can care be denied if a woman declines a repeat cesarean during labor.
Northwest’s specific policies state that a woman is eligible for TOLAC if she has had one or two prior cesareans with low-transverse or low-vertical uterine incisions; that women expecting twins can be eligible; and that eligibility is not affected by whether a woman is scheduled for induction or prefers to wait for labor to begin on its own.
Mercy hospital administration has also stated that they will begin following the new VBAC guidelines, with specific criteria being formalized this month “in order for us to offer TOLAC safely at Mercy. We encourage women to discuss this with their physician.” Washington Regional Medical Center has not yet officially responded to the new guidelines, although Angela Watson, a coleader with ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) of NWA, is hopeful that WRMC will also institute a policy change.
According to Watson, “In other VBAC-supportive hospitals in the U.S., at least 75% of women with one or two prior cesareans who attempt VBAC are successful. This high success rate shows that repeat cesareans are unnecessary for the majority of women. Based on this and other best-practice research evidence from all over the world, we have been working for several years to encourage local hospitals to lift their restrictions against VBAC. We are thrilled to see NWA women being offered the option of avoiding the risks and difficult recovery of a repeat cesarean.” Watson herself traveled to Fort Smith in December of 2009 in order to deliver her second baby via VBAC.
Says Genet Jones, a coleader with BirthNetwork of NWA, “This is a very positive and mother-friendly policy change, and we hope it leads more women and their providers into open discussions not only about VBAC, but about the many other evidence-based maternity and newborn care practices recommended by organizations such as Lamaze International, BirthNetwork National, La Leche League International, and the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services.”
For more information about the benefits of VBAC for mothers, babies, and future pregnancies, as well as about maternity care practices that women can request to increase the likelihood of successful vaginal delivery, contact ICAN of NWA or BirthNetwork NWA.
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Comments
This is fantastic news! I was so upset to have needed an “emergency” c-section with my first, born at WRMC in Fayetteville. It wasn’t the c-section itself that had me so upset, but it was the fact that I had learned in my childbirth class that no hospitals in NWA support VBACs. I was devastated to lose my birthing option of choice for my future children. Now I am hopeful that a VBAC could be a reality without driving to Fort Smith or Siloam Springs.
Terrific news. I just moved here from Dallas as was so disappointed to learn there was a ban on VBAC in NWA. I’m so excited that I won’t be forced into a repeat cesarean! Thank the Lord!
Well if this is true, how come I am being forced to have another c section?
Jennifer, I’m so sorry your care provider is being the opposite of supportive. While the ban has certainly been lifted, this only means that hospitals are accepting VBAC mothers and allowing providers to support VBAC, not that every provider is going to be supportive, or that every supportive provider will accept women with certain risk factors (if you have any). We actually had a great meeting just this morning with several women offering their success stories and supporting other attendees who are seeking VBAC. I wish you could have been there!
If you look at our calendar, you’ll notice an ICAN meeting on the 20th. I would highly recommend attending to talk to other women who have received support for their VBACs.
I don’t know how many weeks along you are, but if your physician is pushing to schedule a cesarean before that meeting, please consider calling an ICAN or BirthNetwork leader for support, and getting on one of our Facebook pages to ask other members if they will share the names of providers who have supported them. It’s your body, your baby, and your informed choice; and your physician works for you, and can be fired and replaced, no matter how far along you are.
Again, I’m sorry to hear that you are being forced into anything that you don’t agree is healthy for you or your baby. I wish stories like yours were rare, but they are not (YET!). I hope BirthNetwork and ICAN can get you the support and information you need!
Thank you Genet Jones for responding. I will be 27 weeks on Tuesday. I am definetly going to check this out. I ended up with a c section due to fetal distress and not progressing fast enough and this was in 2004. I was really hoping and praying that I would be able to do a vbac and not have to do a repeat c section. The hospital that I am delivering at doesn’t seem to be against a vbac, just my Dr. I wish I would have had more information on this earlier in my pregnancy.
Hello Jennifer!
I think that Genet pretty much covered anything I would have said. I’m sorry you are going through this – pregnancy is supposed to be stress free. Feel free to call me before the ICAN meeting – if you go to our website (www.ICANofNWArkansas.org), our contact information is there. Either Loryn or I would love to talk to you.
Looking forward to meeting you and being any help we can be!
Thanks,
Kari
Hi Jennifer,
I am sorry as well to hear of your experience. I hope to see you at the ICAN meeting on the 20th, but wanted to let you know that if you need support or information sooner, please don’t hesitate to call Kari or Loryn with our local ICAN chapter http://nwaican.webs.com/contactus.htm. Not only are they great chapter leaders, they have each had successful VBAC’s in the last year (one hospital, one home). I wish you the best of luck in your journey, and hope we can help.
Just for reference, while most of the local hospitals are on board with VBAC, as you have found, some physicians are not yet on board, and unfortunately, allowing doesn’t necessarily mean supporting. Additionally, to the best of my knowledge, Washington Regional is still not “allowing” VBAC’s.
I wanted to let you ladies know that I am now transferred over to Parkhill and will be delivering at Willow Creek and they do support VBAC’s. I haven’t met with the Dr yet but I have an appointment on the 22nd and hopefully they will support me in wanting to do a VBAC. I really feel like if they give me the opportunity that I will be successful.
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