Childbirth Methods: Vaginal Birth After C-Section, Against Doctor's Orders
When two OBs told Debra Garcia that she had a less than 5 percent chance of having a successful vaginal birth after a C-section (VBAC), she decided to take matters into her own hands— literally.
Of all of the childbirth methods, vaginal birth after c-section is perhaps the most controversial. But Debra was determined to have one— despite her doctor's orders.
Debra desperately wanted a natural, drug-free birth, and, feeling it wouldn't happen that way at the hospital, she decided to have her baby at home. "People told me I was being irresponsible. Friends felt that having a home birth shouldn't be on my list of possible childbirth methods. They said, 'You're making this choice for yourself and not thinking about your baby's safety.' They were really upset with me," Debra says, but that didn't stop her. She admits she was afraid to have her baby at home, but she trusted her body and the natural process.
So when her cervix was ripe, Debra gave herself acupressure to send herself into labor. Then she delivered her 9 pound, 3 ounce baby boy at home with the help of a team of midwives. She says her home birth experience was amazing— and radically different than her hospital birth.
"I felt like a goddess put on this planet to have babies!" What's more? She says she'd totally do it again, even if her doctor recommended she didn't. Now the question is— would YOU?
report abuseOf all of the childbirth methods, vaginal birth after c-section is perhaps the most controversial. But Debra was determined to have one— despite her doctor's orders.
Debra desperately wanted a natural, drug-free birth, and, feeling it wouldn't happen that way at the hospital, she decided to have her baby at home. "People told me I was being irresponsible. Friends felt that having a home birth shouldn't be on my list of possible childbirth methods. They said, 'You're making this choice for yourself and not thinking about your baby's safety.' They were really upset with me," Debra says, but that didn't stop her. She admits she was afraid to have her baby at home, but she trusted her body and the natural process.
So when her cervix was ripe, Debra gave herself acupressure to send herself into labor. Then she delivered her 9 pound, 3 ounce baby boy at home with the help of a team of midwives. She says her home birth experience was amazing— and radically different than her hospital birth.
"I felt like a goddess put on this planet to have babies!" What's more? She says she'd totally do it again, even if her doctor recommended she didn't. Now the question is— would YOU?
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