Are you hoping to experience a vaginal birth after having had a
cesarean delivery? You may find your hopes are squelched by modern
practitioners.

Hospitals around the country are now banning vaginal birth after
cesarean delivery and insisting women undergo repeat cesarean
delivery. Hospitals say they cannot comply with the guidelines issued
in 1999 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
The guidelines call for a doctor to be available "immediately"
throughout active labor when a woman is attempting a vaginal birth
after cesarean delivery, in order to perform an emergency cesarean
section if needed. Previous guidelines had called for a physician to
be "readily" available. In order for a hospital to comply with the new
recommended guidelines, a whole operating crew, an anesthesiologist
and obstetrician would have to be in the hospital around the clock.
Only major medical centers, with in house physicians, will be able to
continue to offer vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. Smaller
hospitals may now have to abandon the practice.

Why the controversy? Women attempting vaginal birth after cesarean
delivery are at a greater risk for uterine rupture than what was once
believed. Uterine rupture can be life threatening for both the mother
and her baby. Some patients with uterine rupture may require a
hysterectomy and some infants may die. The controversy that arises
with the risks associated with vaginal birth after cesarean delivery
is that many women are willing to take the risk, but their freedom of
choice over who controls childbirth is being steamrolled by physicians
and hospitals. Women are not being allowed to have a choice in their
mode of delivery. Doctors say their position is based on concern for
the patient's safety.

Doctors now have a new worry that women trying to avoid repeat
cesarean delivery may give birth at home or in birthing centers that
are not equipped to perform emergency cesarean surgeries if

http://www.dontplayplay.com/html/Bot...002/47199.html