VBACs, ICAN, and Special Scars

Unfortunately there is still a lot of misinformation being shared these days about the risks of repeat cesareans vs. VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean.) According to the ACOG guidelines (American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology):

Attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe and appropriate choice for most women who have had a prior cesarean delivery, including for some women who have had two previous cesareans, according to guidelines released today by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

ICAN is the International Cesarean Awareness Network, an invaluable resource for moms learning more about cesarean recovery & support and VBACs. If you are local here is the link for ICAN of North Texas.

The Special Scars group provides resources and support for moms with any type of special incision - vertical, T, +, J, etc. And want some inspiration??

Here's Abbey's VBA3C with fused sacrum story. She's a local doula and involved with our local ICAN group - she's incredible!

Here's Katie's amazing VBA3C with inverted T incision story. Katie works with the Special Scars group and has wonderful stories on her website - she's a doula & student midwife and someone I've been honored to learn from as a new doula.

In August the Tarrant County Birth Network will be hosting a repeat of our ICAN meeting for doulas on how to better serve moms through cesareans, recovery, VBACs, and those with special scars. I'll post more details once we confirm dates and locations - and yes, I'll be on the panel of speakers, presuming I'm not at a birth. 🙂

However a mom chooses to birth, it's so important that she is given accurate information to make her decision. You have options! As a doula I am happy to support moms in a variety of birth situations, but I also want to make sure every mom knows about the choices available to her.

(Image is the first of my three VBAC babies!)