VBAC Resources

This resource list was created by Kristen O. and it has been invaluable for many of us researching VBAC. Check out Kristen's blog- she's an amazing writer, and an amazing woman http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/


(disclaimer: always seek medical advice from your provider- not the internet!! This list is extensive but may not include all of the latest information available. I would love to test all the links and add updated information, but life is busy- if links are broken, my apologies!! Any inaccuracies are entirely my fault)

Health care providers and birthplaces
Finding a supportive health care provider
www.ACNM.org
www.birthpartners.com
www.cfmidwifery.com
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10214
http://www.ican-online.org/site/content/how-choose-doctor-or-midwife

Hospitals with VBAC bans
http://www.ican-online.org/site/vbac-ban-info
http://www.ican-online.org/site/vbac/your-right-refuse-what-do-if-your-hospital-has-banned-vbac-q

Questions to ask your health care provider
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.ican-online.org/site/content/how-choose-doctor-or-midwife
http://www.vbac.com/informedconsent.html

Your right to refuse a repeat cesarean
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10081
http://www.ican-online.org/site/vbac/enforcing-and-promoting-rights-women-seeking-vaginal-birth- after-cesarean-vbac-primer
http://www.ican-online.org/site/vbac/your-right-refuse-what-do-if-your-hospital-has-banned-vbac-q
http://www.medlaw.com/healthlaw/EMTALA/index.shtml
http://www.medlaw.com/healthlaw/EMTALA/formsample/index.shtml



Preparing for your VBAC
Avoiding tearing
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/perinealProtection.html
http://www.midwifeinfo.com/content/view/82/45/
http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/labor/labor03.htm

Benefits of a VBAC delivery
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001

Breech presentation
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/breech
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/breech-presentation-fact-sheet
www.spinningbabies.com

Confronting your fears
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10214

Deciding between a VBAC and a repeat cesarean
http://childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ClickedLink=293&ck=10212&area=27
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm

Elapsed time between pregnancies
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10214

Epidurals and spinal analgesia
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10214
http://www.midwifeinfo.com/content/view/81/45/
http://www.vbac.com/epidural.html

Exercise in pregnancy
http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/exercise/exercise01.htm

Finding a local ICAN chapter
http://www.ican-online.org/site/chapter/search

Homebirth after cesarean
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HBAC/

Induction
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10214
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/induction-labor

Managing your labor
http://www.birthingbetter.com/
www.birthingfromwithin.com
www.birthworks.com
www.bradleybirth.com
http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/houston/EHUpainrelief.htm
www.hypbirth.com
www.hypnobirthing.com
www.hypnobabies.com
www.lamaze.org
http://www.waterbirth.org/mc/page.do

Optimal positioning for your baby
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/breech
www.spinningbabies.com

Previous CPD “diagnosis”
http://www.ican-online.org/site/vbac/cephalopelvic-disproportion-cpd
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/pelvis.asp

Reducing the risk of a repeat cesarean
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10214

Routine hospital practices
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10214

Urinary and bowel incontinence
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210

Vaginal birth after multiple cesarean (VBA2C, VBA3C, VBAmC)
http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/vbac_after_2_cs.htm

VBAC success rates and contributing factors
http://www.ahcpr.gov/clinic/epcsums/vbacsum.htm
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.ican-online.org/site/vbac/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-checklist
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html
http://www.worldserver.com/turk/birthing/rrvbac2005-9.html

Working with a doula
http://ca.geocities.com/volunteerdoulas/
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10214
www.dona.org
www.doulaworld.com
http://www.vbac.com/doulaatyourbirth.html


Repeat cesarean
Benefits of a repeat cesarean
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001

Cesarean recovery
http://www.ican-online.org/site/recovery/home
http://www.ican-online.org/site/recovery/impact-cesarean-or-curing-emotional-wounds-cesarean
http://www.ican-online.org/site/recovery/recovering-cesarean-tips-healing
http://www.ican-online.org/site/recovery/summary-books-postpartum-depression

Complications for breastfeeding
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/cesarean-fact-sheet
http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/bfaftercesarean.htm

Complications for future pregnancies
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/bmj.37942.546076.44v1.pdf
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/cesarean-fact-sheet
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.motherfriendly.org/Downloads/csec-fact-sheet.pdf

Complications for future surgical procedures
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm

Complications for the mother’s emotional well-being
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/cesarean-fact-sheet
http://www.motherfriendly.org/Downloads/csec-fact-sheet.pdf
http://www.vbac.com/emotionalscars.html

General risks and complications
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/cesarean-fact-sheet
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.motherfriendly.org/Downloads/csec-fact-sheet.pdf
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/vbac/4studies.htm
http://www.vbac.com/cesareanrisks.html

Improving breastfeeding success after a cesarean
http://www.ican-online.org/site/recovery/breastfeeding-after-cesarean
http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/bfaftercesarean.htm

Planned cesarean vs. unplanned cesarean
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210

Planning a repeat cesarean
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10214
http://www.ican-online.org/site/recovery/impact-cesarean-or-curing-emotional-wounds-cesarean
http://www.radmid.demon.co.uk/csgood.htm

Risks for babies
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7137945.stm
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/cesarean-fact-sheet
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.motherfriendly.org/Downloads/csec-fact-sheet.pdf
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5322782.stm
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html

Risk of infection
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm

Risk of bowel obstruction
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210

Risk of hemorrhage
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.motherfriendly.org/Downloads/csec-fact-sheet.pdf

Risk of placenta previa and accreta and placental abruption
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/cesarean-fact-sheet
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.motherfriendly.org/Downloads/csec-fact-sheet.pdf
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/vbac/4studies.htm

Situations requiring repeat cesarean
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.ican-online.org/site/pregnancy/cesarean-fact-sheet
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm


Uterine rupture
Definition
http://www.birthrites.org/uterinerupt.html
http://www.childbirth.org/section/resVBAC.html
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html

Augmentation of labor with pitocin
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm

Elapsed time between deliveries
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html

External cephalic version
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210

Fetal macrosomia
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/vbac/4studies.htm

Induction of labor with pitocin
http://www.birthrites.org/uterinerupt.html
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/vbac/4studies.htm
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html

Induction of labor with prostaglandins
http://www.birthrites.org/uterinerupt.html
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/vbac/4studies.htm
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html

Manual exploration of the uterus
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html

Maternal age
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/vbac/4studies.htm

Possible complications
http://www.birthrites.org/uterinerupt.html
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm

Post-date delivery
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27

Post-rupture risks and consequences for the fetus and the mother http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/vbac/4studies.htm
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html

Putting the risk into perspective
http://www.birthrites.org/uterinerupt.html
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/vbacrisk.html

Rate of occurrence
http://www.birthrites.org/uterinerupt.html
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/351/25/2581
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/vbac/4studies.htm
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html
http://www.worldserver.com/turk/birthing/rrvbac2005-9.html

Risk after previous vaginal deliveries
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html

Risk after successful VBAC(s)
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm

Risk factors
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm

Scar thickness
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27

Signs and symptoms
http://www.birthrites.org/uterinerupt.html
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html

Single-layer closure vs. double-layer closure
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html

Spontaneous labor vs. induced labor
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm

Types of cesarean incisions
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html

Twin pregnancy
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10211&ClickedLink=293&area=27
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210

VBA2C
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3746.htm
http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/108/1/12
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00001
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/dp/topic/aa37799/dp.htm
http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/vbac_after_2_cs.htm
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html

VBA3C
http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/108/1/12
http://www.vbac.com/chapter38.html
http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html


General articles, books, information, and stories
Birthing from Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz (Partera Press, 1998)
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin (Bantam, 2003)
Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean by Nancy Wainer Cohen and Lois J. Estner (Bergin & Garvey Trade, 1983).
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer (New York: The Berkeley Publishing Group, 1999)
The VBAC Companion by Diana Korte (Cambridge: Harvard Common Press, 1997)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4838a2.htm (Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Healthier Mothers and Babies)
www.ican-online.org (International Cesarean Awareness Network)
http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/plabor/0,,j9gw,00.html (Henci Goer on the 2002 JAMA study)
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/39/6/883 (The circumference of the head
\ of newborn infants first measured in 1785)
www.pubmed.com (Finding research and articles on your own)
http://www.truebirth.com/?p=14 (Critique of VBAC terminology)
www.vbac.com (VBAC information and support)
http://www.waterbirth.org/mc/page.do (Births: final data for 2005)
http://www.worldserver.com/turk/birthing/rrvbac2005-9.html (Summary of VBAC studies, 2005- 2009)