Thursday, December 17, 2009

VBAC: Joy Szabo Did it and You Can, Too!

Joy Szabo, a mother who had a c-section, VBAC and was pregnant with her third child was told by her hospital (the same one where she had her successful VBAC) that they were no longer allowing VBACs. They tried to force her to have a c-section. She refused and took her case to the media. The hospital did not relent, but hopefully, she drew attention to this pervasive human rights violation if trying to force women to have unnecessary surgery. Instead of giving in or giving up, she came up with a plan to move to Phoenix a few weeks before her due date so she could VBAC.

Talk about pressure! The anti-VBAC contingent would have loved for her fail so they could use her as an example of why VBAC is bad just as they are trying to do with Michelle Duggar. However, hello, she has 13 successful VBACs, including a set of twins.
Well, CNN just published the update and she did it! Easily, too! Like, Joy, I had a difficult road to find the right providers and I had to travel, but my actual birthing was easy. Now, not every woman will be able to VBAC, but with the right support, most will be successful. After my VBAC, I wrote a post on how to plan for your VBAC. I can't promise you that you will have a birth as easy as Joy's or mine, but I can tell you that it is worth it to take an active role in your health care.

2010, is the year of the VBAC. My first doula client, Doula Amy and another one of my moms, J, are due in July. Also, Abby Epstein is going for VBAC next year.

2 comments:

doulamomma said...

Congrats to Joy! I couldn't help but read the comments of course and as I expected they were filled with mostly misinformation and bad outcomes. We have to remember when we read these things that we don't know the whole story. The safest VBAC is one that is unmedicated and unaugmented and without knowing the circumstances of the births with bad outcomes we can't assume that VBAC is unsafe. As one commenter did so graciously point out, only 0.4% will rupture and only 0.8% of babies will die as a result.

That said (and out of the way) I think it is GREAT to get some positive VBAC attention in the media. I am proud of her for going public but can't imagine the pressure. I can't imagine Abbie Epstein's pressure either. I hope her VBAC is successful for many reasons.

This is the year for VBAC for sure!

MommyCha said...

Thank you so much for sharing this and promoting VBAC's so much! If I hadn't met you, I never would have considered this as an opttion. I hope to have good news to share with you in the New Year! HUGS!