Increase Womens Access to VBAC!

  • Author:
    n/a
  • Send To:
    American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
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The purpose of this petition is to let ACOG know that women desire greater access to VBAC, or vaginal birth after Cesarean. The recent NIH VBAC consensus conference has stated "Given the available evidence, TOL is a reasonable option for many pregnant women with a prior low transverse uterine incision....When both TOL and ERCD are medically equivalent options, a shared decision making process should be adopted and, whenever possible, the womans preference should be honored.....We are concerned about the barriers that women face in accessing clinicians and facilities that are able and willing to offer TOL. Given the level of evidence for the requirement for immediately available surgical and anesthesia personnel in current guidelines, we recommend that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists reassess this requirement relative to other obstetrical complications of comparable risk, risk stratification, and in light of limited physician and nursing resources." We, the undersigned feel that VBAC is unreasonably and unfairly restricted because of the current ACOG recommendation that a surgeon and anesthesiologist be 'immediately available' during a TOLAC (trail of labor after Cesarean). Far too many women are undergoing unwanted and probably unnecessary Cesarean surgery because of this. We would like to note that the likelihood of the baby dieing during a TOLAC is the same as the likelihood of the baby dieing during a nulliparous (first time moms) labor, however ACOG doesn't recommend a surgeon and anesthesiologist be 'immediately available' for first time moms going through labor. We find this discriminatory, inconsistent and unfair. We plead for ACOG to change the recommendations so that ALL low risk VBAC mothers across America can have the chance to give birth to their babies in a normal, safe, healthy way (VBAC).

1280 Signatures

  • christine p
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Laura S
  • Johanna M
    • zip code
    • 44138
  • Michelle L. J
    • zip code
    • 44094
  • Marilyn A
    • Comments
    • Give moms a choice!
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC Mom
  • Ruth W
    • Comments
    • We should have the right to choose whether or not we want a c-section or not except in emergency situations.
    • zip code
    • 48089
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • future vbac mom
  • Karen M. B
  • Roseann T. L
    • zip code
    • 44107
  • Holly P
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • childbirth educator, cpm student
  • Linda
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Lindsey S
    • Comments
    • ...and the quicker the better!
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • laura m
  • Nancy A. H
    • Comments
    • No mother should be forced to have a surgical birth.
    • zip code
    • 44883
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • c-sect mom; IBCLC
  • Sydney F
    • zip code
    • 83709
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC hopeful (July 2010)
  • Damon M
    • zip code
    • 83605
  • Bill B
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Grandfather
  • Kristy
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • vbac mom
  • nicole h
    • Comments
    • I am 35 weeks pregnant and am hoping for a vbac. A woman should not have to fight this hard for something so natural.
    • zip code
    • 37138
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Cassie B
    • zip code
    • 30025
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC Mom
  • Jenny De Y
  • Nicholas D
    • Comments
    • В
    • zip code
    • 60302
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • husband
  • Sheridan R
    • Comments
    • Proud VBAC mom
    • zip code
    • 92688
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Angela M
  • Karen A
    • zip code
    • 34983
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Alyssa D
    • zip code
    • 99207
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Hopeful VBAC mom
  • Kristin O
    • Comments
    • One c-section baby, would like option to have vbac
    • zip code
    • 78750
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • c-section mom
  • Katie W
    • zip code
    • 76542
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC-hopeful mom
  • Julia
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • hoping for a VBAC
  • Kasey H
    • Comments
    • I am currently pregnant with my 2nd child and I am going to attempt to have a VBAC!
    • zip code
    • 76114
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC MOM! Well going to attempt one!
  • Ann
    • zip code
    • 78751
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • CBAC
  • Sabrina L
    • Comments
    • В
    • zip code
    • 78664
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • В
  • Lisa Y
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • birth educator
  • Iris C
    • Comments
    • Induction for VBAC should also be avoided unless medically necessary
    • zip code
    • 76539
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Leigh Ann N
    • zip code
    • 22153
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Jennifer Van H
    • Comments
    • I support VBACs
    • zip code
    • 76549
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC friend and concerned citizen
  • Kristi H
    • zip code
    • 43356
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC hopeful
  • Tory
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • expectant 1st time mother, healthcare provider
  • Sherry Jo W
    • zip code
    • 63548
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom 3x, VBAC doula, student midwife
  • Lexie C
    • Comments
    • It is my body...my birth
    • zip code
    • 71467
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • 1 c-section, not another!
  • Donald W
    • Comments
    • Families want VBAC option!!!
    • zip code
    • 63548
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Husband/Father of VBAC Wife/Children
  • Jennifer M
  • Luanne L
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • health care provider, mom
  • Jennifer M
    • Comments
    • I have personally had to deal with all of the troubles of wanting a VBAC I was told it was not safe to do a VBAC by many doctors I still chose to have a VBAC and I have a perfectly healthy 3 month old I knew everything would be ok even though all the doctors kept telling me because i had a previous c-section I could not do a vaginal birth well I did and it was a beautiful experience but i had to fight so hard to do what I wanted
    • zip code
    • 95691
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Karen Q
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC MOM
  • Tamara L. P
    • zip code
    • 83705
  • Emily F
  • Dianne B
    • zip code
    • 85260
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • doting grandmother
  • Noreen R
    • Comments
    • Patients must sometimes travel long distances to find a hospital/dr. that will provide VBAC.
    • zip code
    • 44333
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Owner, Birth & Beyond, Inc. Doula Services
  • Carolina g
    • zip code
    • 32601
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Concerned citizen
  • Brooke A
    • Comments
    • As a mother who had a cesarean section due to breech positioning I believe that change is in order. Women are built to birth and ACOG and other's in the medical field must stop restricting women. Women need to be given the evidence based research to know the facts regarding risks for repeat c-sections and risk for vbac. Women then need to be allowed to make an informed decision and have that decision supported. The fact that doctors lie regarding the risk of VBAC and berate women into repeat c-sections due to fear of litigation is beyond unethical-birth is a natural process that takes time and women deserve the chance and have the right to experience a vaginal birth. The evidience regarding the safety of vbac is there-so it is time for the medical field to stop ignoring it!!
    • zip code
    • 18512
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC Hopeful