About VBAC Support

If you are looking for a supportive environment in which to talk about issues relating to VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean), you've found it!

Study after study has shown VBAC to be a safe birth option. Yet so many women are made to feel that they are being coerced into an unnecessary repeat cesarean. I have no problem with a woman choosing repeat cesarean if that is what she prefers. But I have a major problem with the fact that many women who would like to have a VBAC are being forced into cesarean by hospital policy, insurance issues, impatient OB's, and a society which is largely uninformed about VBAC.

Here you can chat with women who have had a VBAC, women who are planning a VBAC, and women who just want to explore all of their options before making a choice.

There is power in numbers, and power in knowledge. My hope is that this group can serve to facilitate both.



* A woman who has had a VBAC

* A woman who has attempted a VBAC

* A woman who is planning a VBAC

* A woman who wants to learn more about VBAC

When requesting membership, please answer all of the questions and upload a photo of yourself. Those with incomplete applications will be asked to complete all fields before their membership is approved.

IMPORTANT: NO LURKERS!!! Since members are dealing with very personal issues, I must enforce this rule. If you do not post within your first week of membership, you will be removed from the group!

Membership is free to all!



NO LURKERS! If you do not participate at least once a week, you may be removed from the group. Since members of this group are discussing very personal issues, we can not allow lurkers.

Here are some basic rules for our message board...

Please feel free to:
* Chat, Chat, Chat!
* Ask questions.
* Ask for advice or support.
* Share stories.
* Rant & Rave.

Please refrain from:
* Typing in ALL CAPS... this is considered shouting!

Other than that, just use common courtesy and we should all be fine! I have no problem with differing opinions or debates as long as everything stays respectful and mature.



My name is Mandi, and I have had polar opposite birth experiences.

My first was an unnecessary induction with pitocin, AROM, and an epidural. after 22 hours of labor, and 2 hours of pushing while completely numb, I was told that my "2 hours were up..." and that I had to have a cesarean. At the time, I truly believed that every intervention my doctor had performed was in my baby's best interest. My first son was delivered by cesarean. He was 7 lbs. 5 oz.

A couple of months after my cesarean, I began to learn about VBAC. More importantly, I began to learn about all of the unnecessary interventions which drastically hinder the natural labor process, distress the baby, and increase your chance for cesarean. Yet many of these interventions are hospital routine. I realized that I had been led right into a cesarean from the get-go. I was livid.

My second birth was so very different! I was informed. I made it clear that unless there were actual indications of a problem, I would not be consenting to routine interventions. I went 10 days past my EDD, but the baby was fine. I had a completely natural birth with my 2nd. My labor was 4 hours from the first time I thought I *might* have had a contraction until he was out. I only pushed for 15 minutes. The whole experience was never painful. Uncomfortable, yes, but not painful.

I truly believe that if I had had the knowledge with my first birth, I would have avoided the unnecessary interventions and had a much more beautiful experience. I am just so grateful that I stood my ground and had the birth I had longed for the 2nd time around.

I want anyone who is interested in VBAC to be able to join, so I am paying for this meetup out of pocket without charging dues. Since, I am sponsoring this meetup without collecting dues, I am including a link to my store at the bottom of this page. I will answer questions about my store if asked, but I will most definitely not be pushing my business on anyone! Members of this group who do place an order at Keen Bambino are invited to use the coupon code MEETUP to receive 10% off their order, and please feel free to choose the local meetup option to avoid shipping charges, regardless of the size of your order.