Dear Kirsten, my name is Jo and I am the co-ordinator of CARES SA (Caesarean Awareness Recovery Education Support South Australia). I read your email with interest and was going to respond but the others were quick to reply.
VBAC is a huge area of importance that is often ignored. People in maternity services often look at me strange when I ask what VBAC education they offer, what support networks they have in place and how much in-service training they offer to staff about VBAC. They say things like, it is not needed or such. But when we have a cs rate of 30% it IS relevant to one in three women! I am amazed how many midwives don't know what VBAC means and then the blood drains from their faces when you explain! I cant remember what links were sent to you, but there is a few web sites that are directly concerned with women who have suffered a uterine rupture. they are highly emotive and heart wrenching sites so I say be ready for tears! But when advocating VBAC (which I do as a passion!!!) we must always be mindful of the intensity of the choice for some women. For me VBAC was an expectation...I didn't need my cs in the first place! But I have encountered women whose fear of VBAC is extremely high and possibly they instinctually know that it is not the right choice for them? These women are usually not afraid to labour as such, i.e. they are not fearful of birth just the risk of rupture. Those who support women with their choices after cs should be honest with themselves as to their personal fears and the extent of their knowledge of VBAC. there are some wonderful web sites (a GREAT one for larger women who suffer cs) and as someone else said the VBAC stories are truly a source of woman's strength! To get a supported successful VBAC is not an easy feat in itself! Most VBACs are done so rigidly that the woman has a far from positive experience and can be left thinking "why did I bother?" Fortunately (or perhaps not??) the sense of achievement after a successful VBAC can over ride the price some of us pay for that VBAC. My first was a horrific vaginal birth...but a VAGINAL birth and that was good enough for me! It wasn't until my second VBAC - cause it doesn't matter how many vbacs you have you are still a vbac!!!- that I realized the price I paid. Very sad. Those who can be fully supported are the ones who are truly successful...even if you end up with a cs...cause you know you were respected, supported and the cs was needed. A healing process in itself. Some would say implementing VBAC models of care is setting women up to fail..I heartily disagree as a part of good VBAC preparation is the consideration of a cs. Sorry...not sure how I got on this band wagon....!! hee hee! It is a bad habit I have! i also agree with the fact that you should NEVER feel silly about asking about something. Just imagine if you had not asked and then you found yourself supporting a VBAC??? You would be really concerned and that is not fair on the woman...she has enough of her own concerns! Keep asking questions! None of us are at a point where we no longer need to ask questions www.cares-sa.org.au is also a good site if I do say so myself...as I didnt do it!! hee hee cheers Jo ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kirsten Wohlt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 7:59 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Thanks for the responses! > Thanks to those of you who responded to my message from yesterday. I must admit, I feel a bit silly for having posted it now though - all part of the learning curve! :) It is good to know that this rupturing is very rare, and reading your responses has made me think about the care we can give in a totally different way. I would never have thought about the induced labour causing unnatural contractions, nor would I have thought that avoiding drugs would help a woman be aware of the different pain she may experience, and being able to use that understanding of the pain to potentially identify something going wrong. Oh so much to learn! I am really grateful that this group exists and is open to 'Learner Drivers' like myself, and allows questions and comments without derision! > Re the 'choking' - that may have been a very bad choice of words from the woman who told me the story, and I didn't stop to think about how illogical it was. I wonder if it was just that the blood was stopped from getting to the brain? Or the stress of the pressure? What would be the likely reason? > > Thanks again for your help. I will definately follow up those links you sent Abby!! Thank you, thank you. > > Kirsten > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
