The topic of today’s episode is: VBACs or Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. I had the honor of interviewing Jen Kamel for this episode. Jen is the founder of VBAC Facts.com.  In this episode Jen shines a light on the misconceptions about the safety and risks associated with VBACs and we discuss ACOGs current recommendation as well as the data surrounding this topic. 

I hope this episode educates and encourages any parent who has previously had a Cesarean birth and is considering their options for their next birth. 

In this episode we discuss:

Jen’s background and how she came to start VBACfacts.com

What is a VBAC?

• Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: when someone has a Cesarean section birth in a prior pregnancy and then they decide that they want to labor and have a vaginal delivery with their subsequent child

Language is important! Patients/clinicians should use the phrase: “Planning a VBAC"

What risks are associated with Laboring After a Cesarean?

• The risk of uterine rupture after 1 previous low transverse Cesarean birth without induction or augmentation is 0.4% 

How do the risks of a VBAC compare to the risks of complications from a Cesarean?

• Both are associated with rare adverse outcomes
• The most talked about risk associate with VBAC is: uterine rupture after 1 previous low transverse Cesarean birth without induction or augmentation is 0.4% 
• A major risk associated with Cesarean is placental abnormalities like Placenta Accreta, this increases with each prior C-section

Do the risks differ with a first VBAC vs. VBA2C or multiple C-sections, or babies?

• Risk of uterine rupture decreases after a first VBAC
• VBA2C stands for: Vaginal Birth After 2 Cesareans

What steps can you take in pregnancy and labor to increase chances of having a VBAC?

Find out if your provider is supportive of VBAC

• Ask questions
• Ask for evidence
• Research your options for second opinions or finding another provider if your provider is not supportive of your choices

Mindset

• Surround yourself with a bubble of peace and supportive people
• Have a mindset of: I am going to Labor After Cesarean

Arm yourself with the facts

• You can talk con

The Voyage Cast
As therapists, we started this podcast because therapy can only take us so far....

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The Voyage Cast
As therapists, we started this podcast because therapy can only take us so far....

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Here is the link to the Confident New Parent Class (formerly known as the Postpartum Class)

Here is the link to the Confident New Parent Class (formerly known as the Postpartum Class)

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