Our mission is to increase access to vaginal birth after cesarean. Subscribe to our emails to learn more!
Examining “shared decision making"... because the decision is not actually shared.
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 decision if we claim the decision is shared?
How can providers release their fear of litigation if we can claim the decision is shared?
There is so much wrapped up in this concept.
We need to disentangle it and be very clear about who makes the decision, who holds the responsibility, and who does not.
That's one of the many facets of VBAC that we explore in VBAC Facts® professional membership as well as "The Truth About VBAC™ for Families."
We dive into the intricacies of informed consent, refusal, coercion, and liability so parents, and professionals, understand the line between where the provider's responsibility ends and the parent's begins.
With that genuine shift in power, we can fully realize the truth: That the birthing person makes medical decisions and that the provider cannot be held liable for those decisions.
Learn more with us!
| VBAC Facts® Professional Membership |
| The Truth About VBAC™ for Families |
In solidarity,
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Jen Kamel
VBAC Facts® Founder
PS: Other ways to work with me and increase VBAC access:
- Have a list of questions? Something you want to talk through? Schedule a consulting call. I work with parents, professionals, advocates working on legislation, as well as legal cases regarding VBAC.
- Want to improve the VBAC education in your community or at your facility? Book me for an in-person training! I only have three spots available for 2023 and am speaking to multiple groups.
- Want to address racial disparities in maternity care and VBAC access? Support our BIPOC Scholarship Fund which makes our trainings and courses more accessible to BIPOC communities.
VBAC Facts®
Our mission is to increase access to vaginal birth after cesarean. Subscribe to our emails to learn more!
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,...
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...
Hi Reader, 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...