Hi Reader, I have so many parents who come to me because they are trying to have a VBAC. I want to offer you something. If you want a VBAC, try saying, "I'm planning a VBAC" or "I will labor after a cesarean" or even "I'm going to have a VBAC" rather than "I'm going to try." Do you feel the slight difference in those statements? The first three hold intention. Power. Strength. Clarity. The person saying them is someone who knows what they want. And every time that person says those words,...
about 2 years ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, Sometimes this work can be tough. Of course I want to be encouraging, but I also want to be honest. I believe being honest is encouraging because it's kind. It's true. It's authentic. So here it goes... Here's the honest truth: A VBAC is not going to fall into your lap. All along the way, you will have the opportunity to make choices to create the conditions that will put you on the road to VBAC. When I think about my own VBAC journey, there are so many qualities that came up for...
about 2 years ago • 3 min read
Hi More good news... on June 1, 2023, the Governor of Iowa signed HF 265 which makes certified professional midwives (CPMs) legal and regulated... all while protecting VBAC. You can read the press release for more details, but I wanted to draw your attention to four aspects of this bill. First, it doesn't mention prior cesarean or prior uterine surgery. This is good because often when these histories are highlighted, it is to limit the scope of practice for CPMs. No call out equals no limit...
about 2 years ago • 1 min read
Hi I just had to share with you this update from attorney and international advocate for women's rights in maternal healthcare, Hermine Hayes-Klein. It is proof that not only is change possible, but CHANGE IS HAPPENING. "Today I presented to a closed conference of all judges, many judges, judges from trial courts and appellate courts and the supreme court of Puerto Rico and judges tuning in virtually from other places and countries. This was all made possible by the visionary leadership of...
about 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hi This is a love letter to the parents in my audience... How many of you have heard something like: "You can't have a VBAC because....." Can I just give you one piece of advice? Please. Do not take their word for it. So many women hear "valid reasons” why they “must” have a cesarean… and most of them are pure lies. This is why when a reader was told that she had "damaged tissues" from her two prior cesareans, I advised her to get a copy of her medical records and any scans that were done,...
about 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hi I have been amplifying the voices on Black people over on social media and the response from some people is rage. That highlights the fact that racism can still hold a place of comfort among care providers. The irony is, yes, posts about racism should make us angry because racism is killing people. And yet, what is making some white people upset is they don’t want me to post about racism at all. There are those who believe pointing out racial disparities is: - Divisive - Political -...
over 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, A reader over on social media referenced "shared decision making" and I bristled just a bit because while this phrase is commonly used, the decision is not actually shared. Providers share information: options, risks, and benefits. Providers share recommendations. But providers do not share in the decision. The decision is the birthing person’s. The language we use needs to reflect that. How can women and birthing birthing people really feel the power and responsibility of their...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
Hi As you may have heard, a Black woman named April Valentine recently died giving birth at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, California. As I said just a few days prior on social media in response to yet another question of why we talk about racism, when a Black body is systemically viewed as non-human, that has implications for healthcare fraught with bias and harm. It impacts pain management. It determines whether or not a Black person's concerns is heard. We have to ask about the quality...
over 2 years ago • 2 min read
Hi Happy New Year! A reader contacted me because they had a question regarding my article on uterine rupture and birth intervals, so I created an Instagram reel answering their question. First reel of the year! They found an article on another website that appeared to cite a more recent study. But when I looked at that article, I saw that they cited not a single piece of research, but the Canadian VBAC guidelines… which citied one of the pieces of research that I have in my article. This...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
