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

  • Lisa H
    • zip code
    • 19464
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Denied VBA2C
  • Dr. Steve N
    • zip code
    • 80503
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • healthcare provider
  • Seth S
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • healthcare provider, concerned citizen
  • Anthony E
    • zip code
    • 60014
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Provider
  • Stephanie W
    • Comments
    • I was 'forced' to have a c section for failure to progress after my water had been broken just 2.5 hours. I would very much love to have a VBAC with my next child, but of course they aren't allowed here in iowa where I live.
    • zip code
    • 51055
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Would like to be VBAC mom!
  • Desiree B
    • Comments
    • I deserve to have a chance to go through childbirth
    • zip code
    • 75007
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • C-section mom that hopes to have a VBAC one day
  • Thomas W
    • Comments
    • My wife had an unnecessary c section, and I do not want her to go thru that again. She would really like to have a 'natrual' birth.
    • zip code
    • 51055
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • dad
  • Elizabeth N
    • zip code
    • 37174
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned mom
  • Mira C
    • zip code
    • 01921
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Concerned Mother of a Daughter who will one day have children of her own.
  • Elizabeth G
    • zip code
    • 76063
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • sister of csection patient
  • Sam S
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • husband of a VBAC mom, father of cesarean and homebirth children
  • Michele C
    • zip code
    • 92399
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned mom by c-section
  • Kristin
  • Amber C
    • Comments
    • I've had two great,very safe, VBAC homebirths, after 2 c-sections
    • zip code
    • 27707
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBA2C mom
  • carrie b
    • zip code
    • 44052
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • vbac mom
  • Richelle C
    • zip code
    • 38004
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Concerned citizen
  • Elizabeth P
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Vbac hopeful!
  • Katie P
    • zip code
    • 07003
  • Nicole W
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen, daughter to 4x vbac mom
  • Lee Anne A
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC hopeful!
  • Cheri B
    • Comments
    • I have had three successful vbac's and I even have a three inch vertical incission!!
    • zip code
    • В
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Allison M
    • zip code
    • 24179
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC hopeful mom
  • Michele P
    • zip code
    • 85543
  • Sarah W
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • mom preparing for VBAC
  • Rebecca L
    • zip code
    • 49001
  • Melissa
    • Comments
    • I had to jump through hoops to get my VBAC and eventually chose homebirth because it was not going to happen in the hospital. This shouldn't be! If I could VBAC at home, I should be able to VBAC in a hospital.
    • zip code
    • 18944
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • I am a VBAC mom
  • Kimberly J
    • zip code
    • 85233
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Brenda T
    • zip code
    • 64835
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • first time c-section momma
  • Cecia H
    • zip code
    • 920546
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom
  • Daniel W
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Healthcare Provider
  • Jessica S
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • vbac hopeful
  • Jennifer R
    • zip code
    • 48655
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • CBAC mom
  • Eleia B
    • zip code
    • 66502
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Concerned new mom
  • Susan M. J
    • Comments
    • ACOG, your so-called guidelines have been exposed as being harmful for women and babies, and as lacking any scientific evidence to support them. AAFP is going to revise ITS vbac guidelines, and you should too. But, this time, base them on real evidence, not the litigation-avoidance interests of your members, and make sure you recognize a woman's absolute right of informed refusal.
    • zip code
    • 87105
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Concerned citizen, birth activist, and vbac grandmother
  • Stuart Fischbein, M
    • Comments
    • member of ACOG
    • zip code
    • 91361
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • obstetrician
  • Kirsti K
    • zip code
    • 28403
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Midwife Fan, Women's rights activist
  • Debra P
    • Comments
    • It should be a women's right to choose a safe, evidence based option for a healthy and satisfying birth. ACOG must lead the way to ensure a woman's access to VBAC .
    • zip code
    • 07675
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Brielle E
    • zip code
    • 78704
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • healthcare provider
  • Neal Devitt M
    • Comments
    • В
    • zip code
    • 87505
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • В
  • Erica H
    • zip code
    • 78749
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • healthcare provider
  • Jessica R
    • Comments
    • stop allowing doctors to slice women open and abuse their newborn infants just so they can make more money, under the guise of 'safety'!!!
    • zip code
    • 90290
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • doula, documentarian
  • Danielle A
    • Comments
    • VBAC is such an important option for all the women of the country
    • zip code
    • 06484
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • CBAC Mother
  • Amy C
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC mom, Doula
  • Tara G
    • zip code
    • 12866
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen and birth advocate
  • Michelle B
    • zip code
    • 60102
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • concerned citizen
  • Jennifer B
    • Comments
    • В
    • zip code
    • 11218
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • В
  • Kathy C
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • healthcare provider
  • Virginia A
    • zip code
    • 18042
  • Sheryl G
    • zip code
    • 93907
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • VBAC Mom
  • Jen C
    • zip code
    • 91320
    • relationship to VBAC (ex: VBAC mom, CBAC mom, healthcare provider, concerned citizen ect.)
    • Doula, Childbirth Educator