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

  • Jennifer R
    • Comments
    • As a women's advocate, it pains me greatly when I encounter women who are great candidates for VBAC (such as those who have already had vaginal birth) being told that they shouldn't VBAC because the risk of rupture is too high, or they can't VBAC because it "isn't allowed." This must be changed! Women are dying due to this issue.
    • zip code
    • 18106
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Childbirth educator and doula, President of EmPoWeReD Birth
  • Maggie J
    • Comments
    • I want a VBAC
    • zip code
    • 33763
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC hopeful
  • Jenifer E A
    • zip code
    • 18042
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Taryn G
    • zip code
    • 73118
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • I will be having a VBAC next time!
  • Harley C
    • zip code
    • 31558
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Childbirth Professional
  • Patricia G
    • zip code
    • 34231
  • Jill H
    • zip code
    • 18036
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Hopeful VBAC mom this September
  • stephanie b
    • zip code
    • 90250
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • attempting vba2c
  • Cornelia K
    • zip code
    • 61820
  • Mary D
    • zip code
    • 73145
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Aspiring VBACer
  • Brittany
    • zip code
    • 98043
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Christine W
    • Comments
    • denied a Vbac
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Mother
  • Melissa P
    • zip code
    • 32931
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Marixa W
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • future VBAC mom
  • Kinsey G
    • zip code
    • 18018
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Concerned citizen
  • Jennifer V
    • zip code
    • 55422
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • CBAC mom... deeply wishes I was a VBAC mom
  • Kelley E
    • zip code
    • 77450
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • CBAC mom
  • laxmi
  • Sarah B
    • Comments
    • I am being denied my right to NOT be cut open.
    • zip code
    • 69130
  • Joanna J
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • 2 c/s and I would love the option of vbac since it is the only way I would consider more children and I do want more!
  • Leslie R
    • zip code
    • 60618
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • vbac mom
  • Christine H
    • zip code
    • 44144
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Amy T
    • zip code
    • 73003
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Yasoda
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • CBAC mom
  • Kathleen Van B
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • RN
  • Maxine H
    • Comments
    • Yes to VBAC
    • zip code
    • 81433
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Nurse Midwife Student (CNEP Frontier School of Nurse Midwifery & Family Nursing)
  • Erica K
  • Jocelyn F
    • zip code
    • 50021
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC MOM!
  • Gretchen M
    • Comments
    • It is my hope that the type of birth method chosen is placed with the mother's that are actually giving birth. Informed consent and refusal are key in any kind relationship between health care provider and client/patient, Give women the choice with "all" of the risks and benefits, and mother's will be able to make their own decisions.
    • zip code
    • 29485
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Woman who had an unnecessary cesarean
  • Kari C
    • Comments
    • Let's practice ethical medicine.
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • CBAC Mom - Future HBA2C Mom
  • April M
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • christa-blaise h
    • zip code
    • 44107
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • doula/ massage therapist
  • rebeccah p
    • zip code
    • 44134
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • mom
  • Sarah L
  • Ami P
    • zip code
    • 73071
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Mom who wants to have VBAC
  • Tiffani J
    • Comments
    • Human Rights!
    • zip code
    • 92627
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Concerned Citizen
  • Veronika P
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • expecting VBAC mom
  • Megan B
    • zip code
    • 77840
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • 3 time VBAC mom
  • Lori
  • Camille L
  • Theresa Allaway, R
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • healthcare provider
  • Sabrina S
    • Comments
    • VBAC is a human rights issue
    • zip code
    • 80543
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom who birthed at home because I couldn't be supported in the hospital
  • CINDY H
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • seeking vbac
  • Melissa B
    • zip code
    • 39073
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Lyn A
    • zip code
    • 76548
  • Kimberly A. K
    • zip code
    • 80610
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • cousin, concerned about women's health issues
  • Linda R
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • aunt
  • patricia h
    • zip code
    • 44107
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned mom
  • robert h
    • zip code
    • 44107
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned dad and granddad
  • Taryn S
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • homebirth mom and concerned citizen