The C-Section Backlash by, Danielle Friedman

Page Hospital has decided to not allow mothers to vaginally deliver their babies if the mother has had a cesarean in the past. I would be one of the affected patients. In February 2002, I had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. In February of 2004, an emergency cesarean was necessary because of placental abruption. In December of 2007, I delivered a healthy 8+ lb baby boy at Page Hospital by VBAC. I received strong pressure from the hospital staff encouraging a repeat cesarean, but delivered vaginally in spite of the effort. Having had a successful VBAC since my cesarean, I don’t find any medical need for an elective cesarean for my current pregnancy. I am wary of having a surgery with no medical indication for it. I am sure it would not be ethical.

If the concern is for legal liability, the logic is flawed. If I desired a VBAC in this community whose hospital has adopted the ACOG standard, effectively denying me a VBAC, and if my cesarean birth resulted in harm to me or to my baby, I would have very strong legal standing to bring a lawsuit (for example, the Meador vs Stahler and Gheridian case in Massachusetts).

I found out about this hospital’s VBAC ban at my August OB appointment, and set about fighting it right away. I wrote a letter to the hospital, explaining my arguments about VBAC. As I was driving, I heard there was a meeting of the Board of Directors that same night. I printed out several copies of the letter, printed up supporting research and documentation, and presented everyone at the board meeting with a copy of the whole thing. I was called a few days later to have a meeting with the CEO, Sandy Haryasz. I met with her. She told me that she was an RN who had worked in L&D for many years.

I was very polite and discussed my situation with her and told her that my risk of major complications was about the same as a first time moms. She listened very sweetly and agreed that I was a great candidate for a successful VBAC. She offered to help as best as she can to find me another place to deliver. I reminded her that the next closest hospital in Arizona, Flagstaff Medical Center, also has banned VBAC. She was recommending I go to Dixie Hospital in St. George, Utah. We ended the meeting very politely.

I thought for a bit, had some unanswered questions, so called Sandy’s office again to schedule another appointment. At this meeting I asked why they are doing labor and delivery if they cannot offer a timely cesarean. She defended the hospital, saying that they can do emergency cesaereans, but did not want to accept the risk of VBAC. I asked what the hospital policy is if I show up and just refuse to consent to a cesarean. She said they would seek a court order. She repeated to me that Page Hospital does not have the facilities nessasary to handle an emergency.

At my September OB appointment, I told my doctor what I had been up to. He was filled with apathy. He was wringing his hands, and said he would have to do it if the hospital told him he had to. He told me he would lose his licence if he didn’t. I have looked into it and have yet to find where doctors lose their licence for having ethics. But it was clear to me that I was not safe in this hospital, and if I step foot in the building, I would have a cesarean, and my doctor would do it while I scream in protest.

I have decided I will have to go to Phoenix, where I might have a place to stay. I used to live down there and know the area. I will be having a consult with an OB, and hopefully that will go well.

For activism on behalf of this mother click on the link and scroll down for ideas to help
I pray that Joy is able to have the vaginal birth that she desires. It was this very issue of Vaginal birth after cesarean that propelled me into unassisted childbirth. My VBAC birth at the hospital was so stressful, so mismanaged, and so traumatic that I told my husband if he wanted to have any more children with me we were doing it at home and ALONE! Please note, I had a successful vaginal birth, with no drugs, and no episiotomy. But the sheer hellish emotions that played out the final weeks of his pregnancy and during the labor which resulted in me firing my doctor a couple of hours before he was born was the final nail in the coffin in my efforts to naturally give birth at the hospital following the rules and regs of a profession gone mad.
Joy, you go get the birth every woman deserves!
Jenny Hatch

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