Episode 40: VBACs: Interview with Jen Kamel
Episode description
The topic of today’s episode is: VBACs or Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. I had the honor of interviewing Jen Kamel for this episode. Jen is the founder of VBAC Facts.com. In this episode Jen shines a light on the misconceptions about the safety and risks associated with VBACs and we discuss ACOGs current recommendation as well as the data surrounding this topic.
I hope this episode educates and encourages any parent who has previously had a Cesarean birth and is considering their options for their next birth.
In this episode we discuss:
Jen’s background and how she came to start VBACfacts.com
What is a VBAC?
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: when someone has a Cesarean section birth in a prior pregnancy and then they decide that they want to labor and have a vaginal delivery with their subsequent child
Language is important! Patients/clinicians should use the phrase: “Planning a VBAC"
What risks are associated with Laboring After a Cesarean?
- The risk of uterine rupture after 1 previous low transverse Cesarean birth without induction or augmentation is 0.4%
How do the risks of a VBAC compare to the risks of complications from a Cesarean?
- Both are associated with rare adverse outcomes
- The most talked about risk associate with VBAC is: uterine rupture after 1 previous low transverse Cesarean birth without induction or augmentation is 0.4%
- A major risk associated with Cesarean is placental abnormalities like Placenta Accreta, this increases with each prior C-section
Do the risks differ with a first VBAC vs. VBA2C or multiple C-sections, or babies?
- Risk of uterine rupture decreases after a first VBAC
- VBA2C stands for: Vaginal Birth After 2 Cesareans
What steps can you take in pregnancy and labor to increase chances of having a VBAC?
Find out if your provider is supportive of VBAC
- Ask questions
- Ask for evidence
- Research your options for second opinions or finding another provider if your provider is not supportive of your choices
Mindset
- Surround yourself with a bubble of peace and supportive people
- Have a mindset of: I am going to Labor After Cesarean
Arm yourself with the facts
- You can talk confidently about your choices
- Advocate for yourself
- Familiarize yourself with the evidence
How has COVID affected C-section rates in general, in the US?
- Jen is hosting a panel to discuss this in the VBACfacts professional membership next month
How to get in touch with Jen and VBACfacts.com:
How to get in touch with me:
- Find other episodes at: www.findingyourvillagepod.com
- Email me at amanda@findingyourvillagepod.com
- Monthly Newsletter
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