It's my VBAC, not yours!
- Naturelle Vbac™ | VBAC Expert | VBAC Mother |
- Oct 2, 2016
- 3 min read
There is a growing trend of mothers feeling like their birth was not theirs. They had no options, no rights, and their voices are silenced. They're told what to do as opposed to being asked what they wanted to do, and in the end, they give birth to a baby by c-section or by VBAC, not on their terms.
Nonetheless, Despite complaints from mothers in many different countries, nothings changed. We're still in a state of transition, and the process is a slow one at best.
In fact, being a birth worker, I speak to so many parents internationally, who feel they cannot open up to their midwife, DR, or obstetrician, about what they want because the plan has already been set up for them and they feel they have been backed into a corner.
It's a shame really; because maybe if we involved mothers, and even their families in the preparation stages and prepare them and provide them with all their options during pregnancy, we might actually find women may birth quicker, as-well-as in a way they feel empowered.
This could potentially mean a reduction in the need for interventions, postnatal depression and an increase in the hormones oxytocin, which is required to keep labours energy productive and flowing.
During my VBAC, I felt alone. Although I had a great support network from my husband and my family, every time I'd go to a midwife or obstetricians appointment I would come home feeling uncertain about what I was doing.
ACOG says mum must be prepared for changes but the majority of women go on to have a safe, natural, instinctive, empowering VBAC (1)
I find that although many hospitals do provide great VBAC antenatal intervention classes, unfortunately, we're still seeing bad practices being taught to mothers on a daily basis.
I recently attended a VBAC hospital antenatal class ran by a midwife. I made the decision to be a mother and receive the information for once, rather than a VBAC Expert. I found myself turning around to look at the desperate faces of the mothers surrounding me as the Midwife singled out different mothers, including me, to tell them their chance of having a VBAC was exceptionally low. She even went to the extreme of telling us all our babies would die. I had to speak out! I just had too to protect the mothers in the room. 5 out 8 women left the class wanting a C-section because she thought it was safer.
I would always suggest attending a private, independent VBAC class online or in person to explore your options with an unbiased professional.
Sometimes, the smallest of things can rob you from your VBAC journey such as negativity, having no support, anecdotal information given to you.
Anecdotal information tends to be that little chat you have with your friends or family about what they believe to be factual information. They pass on their experiences to you and somehow, it becomes information you draw for in times of need.
Trust me... Stick to facts it's better..
When a woman presents themselves to birth professionals, some professionals forget shes a human and also it's her birth and the outcome she will live with while the professional see's the next pregnant mum.
It's imperative you let every professional know you're in control of your birth and that you can handle this. You just need support, patience and evidence from them to help you get to that VBAC safely on your terms, in your time, under your decisions..
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VBAC should be seen as a normal, physiological birth and women should not be scared to choose a VBAC. But if you feel scared about your VBAC choice, please take a look here: Are you feeling scared about your VBAC. Remember, Rupture happens in under 1% of vbac births and you have an extremely good chance to have a VBAC so why not checkout : Tips to have a successful VBAC.
If you need inspiration and you feel like you cant do it, checkout my VBAC birth story here: With all the odds against me, my VBAC wasn't post
Or you can Checkout my other VBAC birth story. I had 2x VBA2C and my story is here: No support no empowerment, my VBAC.
An exercise you can do which I did during my VBAC, can be found here: Breath for your VBAC.
Are you looking for VBAC antenatal classes?? If so, you don't need to look no more. Look here: Are you a Birth professional, doula, midwife, childbirth educator or a hypnobirthing instructor or just interested in VBAC??? We have something special for you, click here: VBAC Support Practitioner Training
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