Hospitals around the country are now banning vaginal birth after cesarean

Hospitals around the country are now banning vaginal birth after cesarean, insistent women undergo repeat cesarean. Hospitals say they can not comply with the guidelines issued in 1999 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The guidelines call for a doctor to be available "immediately" through active labor when a woman is attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean, in order to perform an emergency cesarean section if necessary. Previous guidelines had called for a doctor to be "readily" available. In order for a hospital to meet the new standards, all equipment operation, an anesthesiologist and an obstetrician would have to be at the hospital all day. Only major medical centers with doctors at home, will be able to continue to offer vaginal birth after cesarean. Smaller hospitals now have to abandon the practice.

Why the controversy? Women attempting vaginal birth after cesarean are at greater risk of uterine rupture than previously thought. Uterine rupture can be fatal to both mother and baby. Some patients with uterine rupture may require a hysterectomy and some babies may die. The controversy arises with the risks associated with vaginal birth after cesarean is that many women are willing to take the risk, but their freedom of choice over who controls childbirth is still clear by doctors and hospitals. Women can not choose their mode of delivery. Doctors say their position is based on concern for patient safety.

Doctors now have a new concern that women trying to avoid repeat C-section can give birth at home or in birthing centers that are not equipped to perform emergency cesarean surgeries if necessary. Also of concern is the possibility that working patients can wait to the last minute to go to the hospital to avoid repeat cesarean section.

The controversy surrounding the vaginal birth after cesarean is not only a health problem, it is becoming subject of civil rights of women. A woman should have the right to choose their mode of delivery. Currently the right to participate in your birth plan in a woman is being crushed under the weight of new laws and strict limitations medical care that should be a concern for all women throughout the country.