|
VBAC is said "V-Back." VBAC means vaginal birth after cesarean. A VBAC mom has had a vaginal birth for a child born after a previous child born by cesarean surgery. The local International Cesarean Awareness Twin Cities Chapter has information, including a map of VBAC access in Minnesota hospitals.
Some care providers, and some hospitals, support a woman's right to a VBAC. Some don't. MinnesotaBirth would like to list supportive providers and other VBAC resources here. Your help would be fantastic in listing these providers.
Our local ICAN activists have put together a dynamic map to show hospital VBAC status.
A local Certified-Nurse Midwife sent this list around:
"Definitely to pretty sure [that VBAC can be supported]:
University Specialists in Women's Health (at
Riverside, but not at Fairview Riverside Women's Clinic)
Park Nicollet/Methodist, St.Francis
Generations
HCMC
North Metro Midwives
Not sure, does anyone know? (I'll ask around
too):
Waconia
Lakeview (stillwater)
Healthpartners (Abbott, Regions)\
In fact, the only ones I'm sure DON'T are
Healtheast (at Joe's anyhow) and Fairview Riverside Womens' Clinic."
St. Joe's VBAC "ban"
"People who are upset about the VBAC guidelines should direct their concerns
to both ACOG and to the obstetricians who belong to the group. The
hospital can't reasonably be expected to flout the guidelines set forth by
a professional organization with the clout of ACOG; such an action would be
impossible to defend in a legal setting if a claim were to arise. We
all need to work to change our culture and the business of healthcare such that
malpractice and legal concerns aren't such big drivers of policy......but for
right now that is the reality. I personally think that until we have a
full overhaul of healthcare that includes universal coverage from cradle to
grave and malpractice reforms, we will continue to see lawsuits to cover the
care of people who have suffered harm, even when no one was at fault. And
because of those lawsuits, policies will continue to be made which try to
protect healthcare organizations from legal liability. It is sad that
women's choices are restricted because of this. As always, there is much
work to be done in promoting better birth." - Molly Brom, RN
Because St. Joe's is a highly regarded birth place, and because many women in Minnesota seeking vaginal birth after cesarean, ICAN of the Twin Cities is motivated to address the issue of VBAC bans. St Joe's is known in the natural birth circles as a nurturing, quiet environment, a unique accomplishment in a large, bustling city. Turned away from St. Joe's, these women sincerely feel quite hurt. They hear the relief in their peers voices who announce that they are giving birth at St. Joe's. Yet they are still seeking where they will find an in.
Recent History (2008-2009)
One of two Minnesota VBAC bills, SF 1469 (Individual health plan coverage denial for previous cesarean delivery prohibition) was heard by legislative committees and received good support by our legislators.
Bill SF1469 would prevent insurance companies
from either denying coverage or increasing premiums (an amendment to be added at
the hearing) for women who have had cesarean sections. This denial has
happened in Minnesota and other states. 5 other states have passed legislation to protect women from this discrimination.
Senator Marty's second bill, SF1468 would prohibit hospitals from prohibiting a pregnant woman from choosing a vaginal
birth solely because the woman has previously undergone delivery by cesarean
section.
 Sarah Shannon and Heather Deatrick, and others from TCICAN are working with Senator Marty to assure all hospitals which provide birth services allow VBAC services as well.See Sarah Shannon giving tesitmony here (left).
Rebecca Polston, seen testifying here (right), had a cesarean for her first child and just stayed home and gave birth to her second child.
One doctor put it this way, if a hospital can provide emergency services for a prolapsed cord, they can provide services for VBAC. The concern is that hospital staff would have to be immediately available for the unusual case of a uterine rupture. The rate for rupture during VBAC and for prolapsed cord is similar. Both require an immediate cesarean. This point was made in the testimony of these ICAN members at the March 16th, Senate committee hearing, shown here, with Senator Marty.
The testimony for several bills had our three Minnesota Better Birth Coalition bills pushed later and later. Here's Heather Deatrick's comments after the hearing:
Better Birth Women--
THANK YOU for an amazing night—we did it! We have done so much in just a
few short months, anything is possible. It was so exciting to be there! I
just want to say thank you to you all. I feel honored to be around such
amazing women. I learn from you every time.
So now, we keep plugging away. I am very excited for the birth center bill.
And we just gotta keep hammering away at VBAC’s. It will happen…..
Susan—Thank you. I cannot say enough. Last night was a night I never
thought I would be witness to and it was such an honor. You are amazing.
Bless you all, pray for some sleep, see you soon!
Heather
|
