Hi Reader,

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 the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, Maite Oronoz Rodriguez, pictured below left with me and brilliant attorney Liani Caban.

My panel on obstetric violence was part of a larger educational conference for judges on violence against women, and what the judiciary can do to eliminate it.

My message was that obstetric violence lives in the gap between the law of informed consent and the culture of obstetrics, and that what is needed is for judges to enforce the law of informed consent.

Below are my first slide and my last slide, the first framing my talk and the last quoting from the chief justice in her concurring opinion on the 2022 case of Flores v Ryder Memorial Hospital.

I spoke to the judges both as legal experts and as regular people who have cultural experience of childbirth.

I asked them to think about the gap between the law of informed consent as it is supposed to operate, and what they know actually happens in labor and delivery.

And I told them that they have both the power and the responsibility to close that gap, and that in doing so they will change everything for women, babies, families, and society.

I also explained that the marginalization and persecution of midwives is another form of obstetric violence that should be recognized as such, and that a healthy system that upholds women’s rights has doctors and midwives working in partnership to serve the needs of all birthing people.

The chief justice gave me her cell phone number afterward.

The things happening right now in Puerto Rico make me think that it could lead the world in the transformation of maternal healthcare, and that it may be about to happen."

That last sentence. Hope people. Hope.

I hope this brings some joy to your day.

Feel free to forward this email or share our social media post.

In solidarity,

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Jen Kamel
VBAC Facts® Founder

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PS: As a VBAC Facts® professional member, you have access to two interviews with Ms. Hayes-Klein:

• ​An Attorney’s Guide to Navigating Informed Consent and Refusal​
• ​How to Navigate Forced Cesarean Threats​

... as well as numerous continuing education trainings on vaginal birth after cesarean. (Click here and scroll to the bottom to see all the trainings.)

I want to highlight a couple on-demand lectures from "The Truth About VBAC™ for Professionals" that dives into the sticky subject of informed consent and addresses the question: "But people can sue if they have a bad outcome regardless of how informed they are!"

Learn more:

• ​How Hospitals Can Improve Outcomes and Decrease Litigation Risk​
• ​Informed Consent that Manipulates​
• ​What Informed Consent Really Looks Like​

Other ways to work with me and increase VBAC access:

• Consulting Calls: Whether you want to debrief your last birth, get a list of questions answered, or need a subject matter expert for your policy or legal work, I am here to help with a wealth of experience, perspective, and knowledge. Schedule a consulting call.
• Speaking Engagements: Want to improve the VBAC education in your community or at your facility? Book me for an in-person training!​
• Support Birthing Families: Know someone planning a VBAC? Refer them to "The Truth About VBAC™ for Families," the most comprehensive course available for those planning VBACs.
• Champion Equity: 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.

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