VBAC has been a conversation since the mid1970s not because the Cesarean rate was high … it wasn’t! Back then when I gave birth (1970) the c-section rate was less than 4%. The VBAC rate was probably 0%. So what has happened?
Back in the mid9170s women just wanted to try to have a vaginal birth after a cesarean (cute … Vaginal (V), Birth (B) After (A) Cesarean (C). Seemed like such a good short form or acronym but there’s ONE MAJOR PROBLEM! To get to the ‘vaginal’ part of birth you have to do the ‘labor’ part. Care about this statement because it has meaning today but didn’t make sense back then! Why you ask?
Boring history!
1970s the reasons for a cesarean were:
- Seriously obstructed birth … hey before cesareans an obstructed baby was either cut up inside a woman and taken out or the woman and baby died. We’ve come a long way!
- Women were going to die.
That’s about it.
What women experienced prior to 1970s
- A cesarean back then WAS major surgery leaving a scar up and down the uterus and belly … SO UGLY!
- Women were knocked out which had very negative side effects on the baby.
VBAC 1970s and before … non-existent pretty much
mid1980s huge Cesarean changes
- Bikini cuts so a woman could wear a bikini … no joke that is where the name came from.
- Epidurals and being awake
- Fathers coming in to see the birth
- HUGE rise in Cesareans due to any perceived ‘failure to progress’ of labor or women who ‘don’t cope’ with the natural occurring pain of contractions
- In most countries women didn’t have ‘choice’ for a cesarean with no medical reason except in S. American countries. There women wanted to be ‘tight’ for their husband so chose planned cesareans.
VBAC … Small number and called ‘Trial of Labor’ because the first women had a ‘classical incision’ and the risk of uterine rupture was significant. This is when Birthing Better Childbirth Preparation skills were developed
mid1990s Cesareans changed by the
- ‘Choice’ became the norm along with more women seeking a non-laboring Cesarean for no health reason at all … convenience, going back to work, planning the day and scared of birth.
the