Some of you may know that our local hospital, Cottage Hospital,
has a “ban” on VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section) despite that going
directly against ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
recommendations. Because of this ban, I believe the majority of Santa Barbara obstetricians
(OBs) are not giving women informed consent when it comes to letting them know
all of their options of birthing after a cesarean, including all the
risks and benefits of multiple cesareans as well as with VBAC. In addition,
some OBs are actually misinforming women about the capability of their own
bodies to bear children vaginally, as is what happened to me after my first
birth. Women deserve to know their options, to make an informed choice.
Some women may still choose repeat cesarean due to medical or personal reasons.
Some women may want to try for a VBAC. The point is, it should be a choice.
Women should not feel railroaded into a medical procedure they may not actually
need or want.
Below is
my open letter to the OB who performed the cesarean birth of my daughter in
2015.
Dear Dr. R,